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Construction worker walks across rebar.

Construction progress update (photos!)

Publish Date

East Link construction in south Bellevue recently passed the two-year mark. Since construction kicked off in June 2017, crews have made significant progress toward a 2023 opening of the Blue Line. People traveling through south Bellevue can now begin to visualize the final product.

Highlights of the first two years include:

  • The elevated bridge crossing I-90 is nearly complete
  • Placement of structural steel forming the station canopy
  • Installation of elevators and escalators has begun
  • A new 1,500 stall parking garage has topped out
  • A trench along Bellevue Way SE which will carry trains past Winters House and the Blueberry Farm has been excavated. 
  • On 112th Ave SE, a new road-over-rail train undercrossing has been constructed
  • Rail delivery has begun.

All this work is possible thanks to many staff and contractors, including trade and craft workers. Over one million labor hours and counting have gone into construction. To date, these crews have placed over 35,000 cubic yards of concrete, reinforced with more than 12 million pounds steel. Not seen, but supporting the structures, are 273 drilled shafts ranging measuring up to 10' in diameter and installed 90' deep.

Let's take a look at progress:

Aerial view of the long-span bridge for South Bellevue Station.

The long-span bridges measuring 250', 360' and 245' are nearly finished. Crews plan to complete the connection this fall.

Closeup view of the long-span bridge under construction.

An up close view of the long-span segmental bridge.

Aerial view of the future South Bellevue Station.

A view from above shows progress on South Bellevue Station and a new 1,500 stall parking garage.

Construction crane places the structural steel forming the station canopy.

As crews install structural steel forming the station canopy, it becomes easier to imagine Blue Line trains serving riders at South Bellevue Station, while traveling between Redmond and Seattle.

Aerial view of the future South Bellevue parking garage.

After parking in a new 1,500 stall parking structure adjacent to South Bellevue Station, passengers will enjoy a 14-minute trip to downtown Seattle.

A close up view of progress on the 1,500 stall South Bellevue Station parking garage.

A close up view of progress on the 1,500 stall South Bellevue Station parking garage.

Construction along Bellevue Way Southeast between the Blueberry Farm and 112th Avenue Northeast.

Trains will run in a trench along Bellevue Way SE between the Blueberry Farm and 112th Ave SE. Crews are busy constructing concrete track slab, walls, and lids that will provide vehicle and pedestrian access to the Winters House and Blueberry Farm.

Crews place concrete in the light rail trench adjacent to Bellevue Way Southeast.

Crews place concrete in the light rail trench adjacent to Bellevue Way Southeast.

The undercrossing from the south of the new 112th Avenue Northeast.

At the 112th Ave SE crossing near Bellefield Office Park, trains will travel below a newly constructed 112th Ave SE roadway. This image shows the undercrossing from the south.

The undercrossing from the north of the new 112th Avenue Northeast.

At the 112th Ave SE crossing near Bellefield Office Park, trains will travel below a newly constructed 112th Ave SE roadway. This image shows the undercrossing from the north.

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Aerial view of the long-span bridge for South Bellevue Station.
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Closeup view of the long-span bridge under construction.
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Aerial view of the future South Bellevue Station.
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Construction crane places the structural steel forming the station canopy.
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Aerial view of the future South Bellevue parking garage.
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A close up view of progress on the 1,500 stall South Bellevue Station parking garage.
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Construction along Bellevue Way Southeast between the Blueberry Farm and 112th Avenue Northeast.
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Crews place concrete in the light rail trench adjacent to Bellevue Way Southeast.
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The undercrossing from the south of the new 112th Avenue Northeast.
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The undercrossing from the north of the new 112th Avenue Northeast.

Crews expect to wrap up civil construction in south Bellevue in late 2020, at which time, they will pass the torch to another team tasked with building out systems that will support train operations.