BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 30, 2026--
Bellevue enters a new era of regional connectivity with the opening of Sound Transit’s Crosslake Connection, linking downtown Bellevue directly to Seattle and providing seamless, car-free access to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and destinations across the Puget Sound region. A world's first, visitors can now enjoy a scenic view of Lake Washington while crossing a floating bridge on board the carbon-free light rail system, making Bellevue a natural basecamp destination.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330824209/en/
Recently named Best Sustainable and Scenic City in the 2026 Good Housekeeping Travel Awards, Bellevue pairs environmental stewardship with expanded accessibility through its signature “City in a Park” setting, offering more than 100 parks, 14 miles of waterfront, and 2,800 acres of open space within a walkable downtown core.
“This is a game changer for how people access and experience Bellevue and our region,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “Bellevue is now one of the region’s most convenient hubs, offering seamless, car-free connections to the airport, our sports stadiums, major attractions, and employment centers. Whether visiting or working, Bellevue is one of the easiest places to stay connected across all of the Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest.”
Reducing the Impact of Travel Across the Region
The Crosslake Connection simplifies regional travel and establishes Bellevue as a convenient home base, giving visitors access to the Seattle waterfront, stadium district, Capitol Hill, major cultural institutions, and direct connections to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) via the regional light rail system.
The new connection makes it easier than ever for visitors to attend major sporting events in Seattle. Travelers can take light rail directly to the stadium district, home to Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, avoiding parking challenges and game-day traffic while enjoying a seamless, car-free journey between Bellevue and the action.
As the region prepares to host matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, this direct connection further positions Bellevue as an ideal place to stay for international visitors, offering a more relaxed, walkable environment with convenient access to Seattle’s global events.
In 2022, Visit Bellevue introduced BellHop powered by Circuit, the region’s first complimentary, all-electric shuttle service, building on the city’s long-standing commitment to sustainable transportation. BellHop connects visitors between hotels, dining, shopping, and light rail stations, extending car-free mobility throughout the city and creating a seamless, end-to-end travel experience.
Together, with bike-friendly infrastructure, walkable neighborhoods, and ample green space, visitors will find that the Bellevue experience has a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
A Historic Engineering Achievement
The new line, delivered by Sound Transit, introduces a global first: light rail service operating across a floating bridge on Lake Washington.
Spanning the Interstate 90 corridor, the system travels across the I-90 floating bridge, also known as the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, using specialized track bridge technology designed to adjust to the lake’s natural movement and allow trains to operate safely and comfortably across a floating structure.
Sound Transit and its engineering partners spent tens of thousands of hours designing, testing, and refining the system, which can carry up to 16,000 passengers per hour across the lake. This milestone underscores the region’s leadership in infrastructure innovation while enhancing the visitor experience through efficient, high-capacity transit.
Innovation Meets Exploration
Building on the engineering significance of the new light rail connection, Visit Bellevue is developing future visitor experiences that highlight the innovation behind the floating bridge crossing.
Experiences like the Light Rail Discovery Trail guide travelers through neighborhoods, businesses, and attractions located along the 2 line, making it easy to discover Bellevue and the surrounding area stop by stop.
In addition, Visit Bellevue is developing future enhancements, including a curated audio experience designed to bring the story of the Crosslake Connection and its engineering to life for riders traveling across Lake Washington.
Plan Your Visit
With expanded light rail connectivity, Bellevue offers a unique combination of accessibility, sustainability, and walkability, making it an ideal base for exploring the Pacific Northwest.
To learn more or plan your visit, go to: https://www.visitbellevuewa.com/
###
About Visit Bellevue
Visit Bellevue Washington (VBW) is Bellevue’s official Destination Management Organization (DMO), representing the city’s hotels, the Meydenbauer Convention Center, and the Bellevue hospitality community, and is funded by the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA). A safe, walkable, and easily accessible city, Bellevue provides a vibrant fusion of welcoming hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, lively culture, outdoor recreation, and world-class shopping. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty with big-city amenities, Bellevue offers a wide variety of entertainment experiences and is home to innovative global corporations. Follow Visit Bellevue on social media @visitbellevue and join the conversation.
View of Bellevue, Washington’s skyline. Tucked between Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountains, Bellevue offers effortless access to nature and signature Pacific Northwest experiences, with Mt. Rainier standing prominently in the background.
A glimpse of the Sound Transit Crosslake Connection, connecting Bellevue and Seattle in minutes via the first light rail line to glide across open water.
