Redmond Technology Bridge Opens, Ribbon Cutting

 

From left to right: Redmond City Council Vice President Jessica Forsythe, Redmond City Councilmember Melissa Stuart, Former Redmond Mayor John Marchione, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Microsoft Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Vice President Alice Jolla, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Redmond City Council President Vanessa Kritzer, Redmond City Councilmember Osman Salahuddin, and King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Board Member Claudia Balducci.

New Redmond Technology Station Bridge Opens

REDMOND, WA - This morning, the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Microsoft celebrated the opening of the new Redmond Technology Station Bridge with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The bridge connects to Sound Transit’s Redmond Technology light rail station, the SR 520 transit flyer stop, a regional bike trail, and Microsoft’s west and east campuses. It also provides an east-west trail connection across SR 520, that will alleviate traffic congestion, enhance safety, and improve accessibility for thousands of residents and commuters daily.

“This bridge will be a great benefit to the community and connect us in a number of sustainable ways, with lanes for those who want to walk and ride their bikes,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “It is thanks to our partnerships with Microsoft, Sound Transit, and WSDOT, that we have this new, not only functional, but beautiful connection to enjoy.”

The design of the bridge is the result of meticulous and innovative planning, as well as the unique efforts between Sound Transit, City of Redmond, and Microsoft. The bridge was designed by AECOM and engineered by Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc., and features functional canopies, landscaped planters with native plants, and benches to enhance the user experience.

“The Redmond Technology Station will be a hub for transit passengers and Microsoft workers throughout the Eastside,” said King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Chair Dow Constantine. “Thanks to the collaboration of our project partners, we’re expanding transit for a more connected Puget Sound region.”

"With light rail service only days away, opening this bike and pedestrian bridge will safely connect transit passengers from the Redmond Technology Station to Microsoft, the SR 520 Trail, and more, providing yet another link to our growing light rail system,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “This connection is the result of years-long collaboration between Sound Transit, WSDOT, Microsoft, and the City of Redmond and is an integral piece of building an interconnected transit system that makes multimodal travel easy, safe, and seamless.” 

“Today’s grand opening is an important milestone in the effort to create a multimodal transportation system that supports the region's economy and quality of life,” said Alice Jolla, chief accounting officer and corporate vice president at Microsoft. “This bridge is a symbol of Microsoft’s commitment to our local community, and we’re grateful for the collaboration with the City of Redmond, Sound Transit, and Washington State Department of Transportation.”

The bridge opening aligns with opening week of the initial segment of the 2 Line, with those celebrations planned for Saturday, April 27. For more information about the light rail opening visit soundtransit.org/Discover2Line.