Redmond Central Connector

Redmond Central Connector
Photograph of Redmond Central Connector Park
Redmond Central Connector Park
Length3.9 mi (6.3 km)
LocationRedmond, Washington, US
UsePedestrian, bicycle, and inline-skate

The Redmond Central Connector, also called RCC, is a 3.9-mile (6.3 km) paved rail trail and linear park in Redmond, Washington.[1] It is a spur of the Eastside Rail Corridor, connecting the main Eastrail to downtown Redmond. The trail features art made from railroad tracks and signals.[2][3]

History

The land for the trail was acquired in 2010. Construction of the trail was split into three phases, which were completed in 2013, 2017,[1] and 2025, respectively.[4][5]

In 2015, the city of Redmond won a National Trails Award for the Redmond Central Connector at the 22nd International Trails Symposium in Portland, Oregon.[6]

Route

Eastside Rail Corridor map
Eastside Rail Corridor, with the Redmond Central Connector in light blue

The trail begins at the intersection of NE 124 Street and Willows Road NE in Redmond[4][5] and continues southeast along the Sammamish River before crossing the river and the Sammamish River Trail on a renovated railroad trestle.[1] Along the trestle's handrails is an art installation of steel panels, with the words of a poem by Rebecca Meredith, former Redmond Poet Laureate as well as railroad and natural imagery of "Earth", "Air", and "Water" cut into the panels. Pedestrians can descend from the trail down to the Sammamish River Trail via stairs at the trestle or a nearby off-ramp.[7][8]

After crossing the river, the trail then continues into downtown Redmond, passing through Redmond Central Connector Park and Downtown Park.[1] It passes Redmond Town Center before arriving at Downtown Redmond station and ending at the Bear Creek Trail. Sound Transit constructed a bridge across Bear Creek and under State Route 520 that connects it to the East Lake Sammamish Trail, a continuation of the rail trail.[8][9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Redmond Central Connector Trail". redmond.gov. City of Redmond. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Redmond Central Connector Trail" (PDF). wasla.org. Washington Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 8, 2026. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Redmond Central Connector Park". redmond.gov. City of Redmond. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Redmond Celebrates Completion of Major Bike and Pedestrian Trail". redmond.gov. City of Redmond. August 15, 2025. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Redmond Central Connector Phase 3". redmond.gov. City of Redmond. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  6. ↑ "22nd American Trails International Trails Symposium: National Trails Awards". AmericanTrails.org. 2015. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Sammamish River Trestle". redmond.gov. City of Redmond. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Morgenstern, Erik. "Redmond Central Connector Trail". wta.org. Washington Trails Association. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Work ramps up on Downtown Redmond Link Extension". soundtransit.org. Sound Transit. October 19, 2020.
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