 Opening tomorrow: better bus connections, expanded vehicle and bike parking, easier access to transit
Tomorrow, Sound Transit will open its South Bellevue Park and Ride almost two years prior to the opening of the East Link light rail. While Sound Transit is testing the East Link light rail extension and trains are making practice runs, there is no reason to delay providing commuters with access to an expanded parking garage and upgraded bus bays.
Along with 1,500 parking spots – triple the number in the old parking garage – and 35 secure parking for bikes, the park and ride will serve as a transit hub for Eastside riders. New bus bays will improve connections among Sound Transit and Metro routes. Additionally, this transit hub now includes connections to the Mountains to Sound Trail and north to downtown Bellevue.
With the opening of the South Bellevue Park and Ride, we’re not just marking the opening of a parking garage, we’re marking steady progress toward the vision that this community laid out years ago: A region of communities linked by a sustainable, high capacity transit network.
Supporting District 6 youth and amateur sports and fitness programs
 A healthy community means people have access to things that contribute to their well-being, like nature and physical activity. During the pandemic, the value of getting outdoors and getting active was reinforced. This year, I awarded Get Active Stay Active grants to organizations that serve King County Council District 6. These two-year grants support organizations that provide youth and amateur sports and fitness programs.
The Kirkland Boys and Girls Club Tackle Football Program will receive $20,750 to support its scholarship funding and for safety enhancements. The Tackle Football Program provides youth the opportunity to stay active, engage with their peers, and learn teamwork and discipline. With this funding, more kids will be able to put on helmets and shoulder pads, take the field, and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sports. Learn more about Kirkland Boys & Girls Club Athletics here:
Eastrail expands!
 On Wednesday the sun shone brightly on a celebration with King County Parks, WSDOT, and community members to open Eastrail’s newest 2.5-mile trail segment spanning from Newcastle Beach Park south to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. The 20-foot-wide trail, including a 12-foot paved path and gravel shoulders, allows for distance between walkers, runners, and cyclists and provides people who have limited mobility more opportunities to safely enjoy the outdoors.
It’s thrilling to watch Eastrail’s progress continue as we connect and complete the trail segments that make up this iconic 42-mile regional corridor stretching from Renton to Snohomish County with a spur to Redmond. Partnerships, like King County and WSDOT’s, are essential to Eastrail’s success and they illustrate how effective we can be when government works together.
Spread the word!
Please forward this email widely and invite others to sign-up to my email updates to receive important and timely information for District 6 constituents.
Sincerely,
 Claudia Balducci
King County Council
District 6
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