Transportation Committee
Helping to shape Bellevue’s mobility future by evaluating projects, recommending investments and collaborating with city and transit partners.
Mission & Scope
The Bellevue Chamber’s Transportation Committee convenes employers, developers, mobility providers, and public agencies to solve near-term transportation challenges and shape long-term investments. The committee studies and recommends state, regional, and city projects, tracks transit service changes, and explores technology that improves safety and access.
Focus areas include statewide priorities like Iā405 corridor improvements, city planning items such as the Mobility Implementation Plan and Transportation Facilities Plan, transit integration, and transportation technology like Cellular VehicleātoāEverything (CāV2X), autonomous vehicle policy, and micromobility.
The committee meets with city and agency staff, weighs in through letters and testimony, and partners with other Chamber advocacy groups when a crossācutting business issue is at stake. In recent cycles that has included curbāmanagement policy, funding needs tied to state initiatives, and network connectivity for bikes, pedestrians, and transit.
$450M
I-405 Corridor improvements funded
$18M
Eastrail through Bellevue
$6.9M
Mountains to Sound Greenway “Bellevue Gap”
$8M
SR 520 at 148th Ave NE bike and pedestrian crossing
What We’ve Done
2025
Reset curb-pricing work with the City
At its January 9 meeting, the Transportation Committee re-engaged on Bellevue’s curb-pricing study, revisiting targets for curb occupancy and turnover and flagging how curb policy connects to the Mobility Implementation Plan, TFP, RapidRide K-Line, Project Zero and AV policy. The goal was to keep businesses at the table so curb-pricing tests protected access, safety and daily operations.
2025
Launched the Bellevue Mobility Coalition (BMC)
In early 2025, the Chamber launched the Bellevue Mobility Coalition to match the Comprehensive Plan’s land use vision with a real mobility strategy. BMC brought together major employers, developers and mobility experts to analyze multimodal travel, prioritize high-impact projects and provide technical feedback as the City initiated a new Master Transportation Plan. Within its first year, that work helped prompt the City to start the plan and to use BMC as a regular sounding board.
2025
Backed micromobility code adoption and scooter access
To modernize rules for e-scooters and e-bikes, the Chamber supported the 2025 Micromobility Code Amendment. The Chamber backed a code update aligned with state law and regional best practice and hosted Lime scooter demonstrations so decision-makers could see the technology in use. City Council adopted the update, clearing the way for pilots that improve first and last mile connections while maintaining safety and access.
2025
Connected preservation, revenue and AV policy
Later in 2025, the committee reviewed WSDOT budget updates and the pressure that flat revenues put on basic preservation. Members discussed options such as road-usage charges and other tools, and tracked legislation on human safety operators in autonomous vehicles. The committee also continued to follow Bellevue’s Project Zero C-V2X pilot with T-Mobile and partners, which tested connected-vehicle safety applications on city streets.
2024
Framed curb-pricing and statewide funding conversations
In October 2024, the committee heard from the Association of Washington Business on Initiative 2117 and long-term state transportation funding. The briefing covered gas tax alternatives such as road-usage charges, tire taxes and weight fees, and how they might interact with local revenue tools. That session set up a structured committee discussion on curb-pricing and on-street revenue options for 2025.
2023
Shaped Bike Bellevue into a balanced multimodal plan
Throughout 2023, the committee worked through the Bike Bellevue proposal. Based on committee feedback, Chamber staff testified to remove language that would have converted key vehicle lanes to bike-only lanes, preserve core capacity and focus on high-value, connective bike facilities. The outcome helped reposition Bike Bellevue as part of a broader multimodal strategy for people walking, biking, taking transit and driving.
2023-2024
Shaped the Curb Management Plan to protect access and commerce
As Bellevue built its Curb Management Plan, the committee pushed for a balance of mobility, safety and economic activity. The Chamber recommended clear typology maps, digital tools to manage loading and on-street parking, traffic study requirements before lane conversions or pricing and safeguards for mobility hubs, freight and emergency access. Many of these ideas now appear in the City’s curb-management approach.
2023-2024
Kept RapidRide K-Line aligned with mobility and business needs
The committee consistently supported RapidRide K-Line while protecting key road capacity. Members emphasized needs for freight, emergency response and general traffic, raised concerns about designs that removed too many lanes and backed revised options that preserved critical capacity while still delivering frequent, reliable transit between Totem Lake and Eastgate.
2023-2024
Tracked East Link Starter Line decisions and station readiness
In June 2023, Sound Transit briefed the committee on the East Link Starter Line and phased 2 Line openings. The committee focused on access and circulation around stations in South Bellevue, Downtown Bellevue, Wilburton and the Spring District, as well as operational readiness and staffing, and how early rail service would support transit-oriented development and business access.
2023-2024
Protected Mountains to Sound “Bellevue Gap” trail funding
When funding shifts threatened the Mountains to Sound “Bellevue Gap,” the Chamber and local leaders pressed the Governor’s office to reprogram Move Ahead Washington dollars and protect Bellevue’s 2.37 million dollar federal match. The committee framed the gap as a critical connection between Eastrail, the wider trail network, Bellevue College and the Eastgate Park and Ride, helping keep the segment on track.
2023-2024
Advanced Grand Connection and Eastrail I-90 crossing priorities
The committee continued to champion The Grand Connection and the Eastrail I-90 crossing as signature mobility investments. The Chamber made the case for blended state, federal and private funding and highlighted design elements that improve safe crossings and access for commuters, shoppers and visitors, keeping both projects visible and competitive in funding and design discussions.
2021-2022
Helped to secure nearly 500 million dollars for Eastside projects
Through coordinated advocacy with the City of Bellevue and the East King Chambers Coalition, the Chamber helped shape the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package. For Bellevue and the Eastside, it delivered nearly 500 million dollars, including funding for I-405 Master Plan improvements, Eastrail through Bellevue, the Mountains to Sound “Bellevue Gap” and the State Route 520 at 148th Avenue Northeast bike and pedestrian crossing. These investments advanced long-standing committee priorities on throug
2021-2022
Showcased priority projects to lawmakers in a joint tour
Ahead of those funding decisions, the Chamber and City co-hosted a transportation tour for state legislators, City leaders and partners. The tour highlighted top projects such as I-405 improvements, Eastrail and the Wilburton Trestle, the Mountains to Sound “Bellevue Gap” and key State Route 520 and Interstate 90 access projects, giving lawmakers on-the-ground context that fed directly into the Eastside wins in Move Ahead Washington.
2021-2022
Kept I-405, SR 520/124th, I-90 and South Downtown access on the map
Throughout 2021 and 2022, the committee and staff consistentvly emphasized the importance of I-405 Master Plan projects, the SR 520 and 124th interchange, I-90 and South Downtown access and Lake Hills Connector and Downtowner connections for freight and commuters. That persistent drumbeat helped keep these corridors at the center of Eastside transportation conversations and set the stage for later funding and policy wins.
“The future of Bellevue calls for a safe, efficient, and data-driven multi-modal approach that is well understood by our community and its leaders.”-Nikki Stuck, Public Policy Manager
What We’re Working On
The Transportation Committee continues to influence transportation growth in the region:
- Curb management and onāstreet pricing: The committee is engaged with the City’s phased curbāpricing study, which targets 80% curb occupancy and a 15–20% overstay rate. Data show many blocks at or above capacity with 20–50% of vehicles overstaying time limits. The City is conducting surveys, canvassing, and open houses; the committee stays at the table to ensure any pricing or policy changes balance access, safety, and business operations.
- Mobility Implementation Plan update: The Transportation Commission is preparing recommendations to update the Mobility Implementation Plan, with a particular focus on walking and biking networks. The committee tracks this work and relays member feedback so that multimodal improvements enhance safety and reliability without undermining freight and vehicle access to key employment centers.
- Transportation Facilities Plan (TFP) 2026–2037: As the City refines its next 12āyear Transportation Facilities Plan, the committee follows the project list and promotes community forums so employers understand which corridors, intersections, and trail connections are being prioritized — and can flag gaps that affect commuting and goods movement.
- RapidRide K Line to Council: With service planned for 2030 between Totem Lake and Eastgate, the RapidRide K Line will connect Downtown Bellevue, Bellevue College, and other hubs with frequent, reliable transit. The committee monitors scope, station planning, and lane configurations as Metro presents the project vision to Bellevue and Kirkland councils, emphasizing both transit performance and business access along the corridor.
- Transportation technology and safety: The committee tracks Bellevue and TāMobile’s Project Zero CāV2X pilot, which uses 5G and connectedāvehicle technology to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and monitors emerging state legislation that would require human safety operators in autonomous vehicles. These discussions help members understand how new technologies and regulatory frameworks could affect fleets, deliveries, and street operations.
- Regional project advocacy: Beyond policy work, the Chamber continues to support highāimpact transportation investments around Bellevue — including Iā405 Master Plan projects and related interchanges, SRāÆ520/124th Ave NE, Iā90 and South Downtown access/Lake Hills Connector, the Grand Connection, and Eastrail’s Iā90 crossing segment. The committee helps align local, regional, and state priorities so these projects remain competitive for future funding and move forward in ways that reflect employer needs.
- East Link and the 2 Line: As Sound Transit’s 2 Line becomes fully operational, the committee continues to track service levels, phasing, and stationāarea planning for the East Link Starter Line segment between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Center. That work helps employers prepare for new commute patterns, lastāmile connections, and transitāoriented development opportunities near key stations.
Committee in Action
News & Updates
Bellevue Chamber Applauds Eastside Priorities in Transportation Package
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
February 7, 2022
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Sound Transit updates Chamber Transportation Committee on East Link Starter Line
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
1 day ago
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Chamber launches Bellevue Mobility Coalition to spearhead work on local transportation projects
The Chamber’s newest advocacy group, the Bellevue Mobility Coalition, or BMC, formally met for the first time this last week to set expectations around their goals, and debrief the actionable, low-hanging fruit projects that they can push forward in the coming months.
Interested in joining BMC? Chat with Jodie!
Interested in joining BMC? Chat with Jodie!
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Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
January 6
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Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing
At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on November 6, members received a focused briefing on the state transportation outlook, WSDOT’s supplemental budget priorities, autonomous vehicle policy dynamics, Bellevue’s curb pricing plan, and federal reauthorization strategy. The discussion underscored a tough near-term fiscal environment, the need to hold the line on recent revenue commitments, and pragmatic steps to keep Eastside projects moving.
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Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
November 6, 2025
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Permission to scoot? Policy Council advocates for increased micromobility options
Our Policy Council had micromobility on the mind before the Bellevue City Council’s most recent meeting, ultimately advocating for increased options for transportation methods like scooters.
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Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
July 18, 2025
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Link extension to downtown Redmond opens, unveils two new stations
This past weekend, downtown Redmond opened two new light rail stations, marking yet another expansion of our region’s public transportation system. Electeds and community members alike flocked to the opening weekend festivities, complete with a local high school marching band, a parade procession, and photo ops and activations galore.
Check out the updated 2 Line map here, read the press release from Sound Transit here, and take a look at some photos from the event below.
Check out the updated 2 Line map here, read the press release from Sound Transit here, and take a look at some photos from the event below.
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Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
May 9, 2025
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BellHop reveals new digs, strengthens electric fleet
Need a ride? Visit Bellevue has announced new vehicle upgrades to their BellHop program, incorporating three new 2025 Kia EV9 vehicles into the fleet.
“BellHop continues to operate as a free, on-demand service, and we’re incredibly grateful for the dedicated support of Circuit, the City of Bellevue, Amazon, and the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), in partnership with Visit Bellevue,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “This collaboration and shared commitment to innovation are fueling growth and helping us build a stronger, more resilient future for our residents, workforce, and visitors.”
Learn more about the upgrade below, and be sure to download the Circuit app here.
“BellHop continues to operate as a free, on-demand service, and we’re incredibly grateful for the dedicated support of Circuit, the City of Bellevue, Amazon, and the Tourism Promotion Area (TPA), in partnership with Visit Bellevue,” said Brad Jones, Executive Director of Visit Bellevue. “This collaboration and shared commitment to innovation are fueling growth and helping us build a stronger, more resilient future for our residents, workforce, and visitors.”
Learn more about the upgrade below, and be sure to download the Circuit app here.
Read more
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
March 4, 2025
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Bellevue Chamber Applauds Eastside Priorities in Transportation Package
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
February 7, 2022
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Sound Transit updates Chamber Transportation Committee on East Link Starter Line
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
1 day ago
Share
Chamber launches Bellevue Mobility Coalition to spearhead work on local transportation projects
The Chamber’s newest advocacy group, the Bellevue Mobility Coalition, or BMC, formally met for the first time this last week to set expectations around their goals, and debrief the actionable, low-hanging fruit projects that they can push forward in the coming months.
Interested in joining BMC? Chat with Jodie!
Interested in joining BMC? Chat with Jodie!
Read more
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
January 6
Share
Transportation Committee Recap: Revenue, Preservation, AV Policy, and Curb Pricing
At the Chamber’s Transportation Committee meeting on November 6, members received a focused briefing on the state transportation outlook, WSDOT’s supplemental budget priorities, autonomous vehicle policy dynamics, Bellevue’s curb pricing plan, and federal reauthorization strategy. The discussion underscored a tough near-term fiscal environment, the need to hold the line on recent revenue commitments, and pragmatic steps to keep Eastside projects moving.
Read more
Transportation - Bellevue Chamber
November 6, 2025
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Resources & Letters
Transportation Committee Directory
Click here to view a directory of all of our members in the Committee.
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