Image of the community admiring the art/panels – The community’s input was integral to the design process, particularly through a collaboration with Isan Bellevue, a nonprofit focused on place-based art installations that reflect the region’s cultural history.
Eastrail NE 8th Street Bridge
Location
Bellevue, Washington
Owner
King County
Prime Consultant: KPFF Consulting Engineers (Structural, Civil, & Plumbing Engineering)
Landscape Architecture: Berger Partnership
Lighting Design: Dark Light Consulting
Project Size
Bridge length: 552 feet
Project Status
Completed
Services
Urban Design
The Eastrail NE 8th Street Bridge in Bellevue is a key piece of infrastructure in the city’s shift towards a more sustainable, transit-oriented future. Part of the Eastrail project, the 550-foot-long bridge connects pedestrians and cyclists to the Wilburton Link light rail station, reinforcing Bellevue’s commitment to multimodal transportation.
Designed as a steel articulated truss for efficient construction, the bridge incorporates historical and cultural elements, such as a perforated aluminum scrim inspired by traditional Japanese paper folding. The design honors the contributions of local Japanese Americans and includes a 117-foot-long mural by artists Erin Shigaki and Mari Shibuya, which references “kintsugi,” the Japanese art of repair. The bridge symbolizes Bellevue’s transformation while promoting sustainability with recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting, acting as a visual gateway to the city.
Photography: Adam Hunter
Detail image of the scrim and the city skyline – Functionally, the scrim also gives pedestrians and cyclists a sense of safety and containment as they cross over the bridge. The cladding itself features varying perforation densities that amplify the effect of light, while selectively omitted panels create apertures framing the Bellevue skyline.
