The Eastside Rail Corridor (ERC), the multi-purpose corridor connecting Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville and Redmond, is getting a new name and brand in 2019.

Currently, the ERC includes trail segments such as the Cross Kirkland Corridor and the Redmond Central Connector, along with part of Sound Transit’s light rail line in Bellevue. In the future, the ERC will include a continuous trail, more high-capacity transit and expanded use for utilities serving the Eastside.

King County and local partner cities and agencies will select one of several options for the corridor’s new identity. The four candidate names being considered by the ERC Regional Advisory Council are: The Eastway, The 425, The Eastrail and The E.

The four names resulted from a variety of outreach efforts, including a survey of more than 2,000 community members, stakeholder interviews and input sessions, discussions with people on the street and trail users and an analysis of other trail brands from around the country.

Once a name is chosen, a full brand including logos and taglines will be developed. The branding process is intended to make more people aware of the Eastside Rail Corridor as a signature connector for Eastside communities.

The Cross Kirkland Corridor and Redmond Central Connector names won’t change; the county is only considering renaming the ERC as a whole.

Once completed, this 42-mile recreational trail will connect the Cedar River Trail and Lake to Sound Trail with the SR 520 Trail, the I-90 Trail, Redmond Central Connector the Cross Kirkland Corridor, the Sammamish River Trail and the East Lake Sammamish Trail.

See www.kingcounty.gov for more, and take the naming survey at www.research.net/r/NAME_ERC.