(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Transportation, Treasury, and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, has secured millions of dollars in federal funding for Puget Sound transportation priorities. The funding will address critical infrastructure needs throughout the region including bridges, buses, airport and transit facilities.
The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill earlier today.
The funding, which earmarked specifically for the Puget Sound, is in addition to the formula funding the state receives annually from the federal government. In 2004, the state will get $542,767,926 in Federal Highway Administration grant funding and $101,731,719 in Federal Transit Administration grant funding.
“I am proud to have helped secure these critical federal dollars for transportation projects throughout the Puget Sound. By investing in our transportation infrastructure, we are creating good-paying construction jobs today and paving the way for future economic growth,” Senator Murray said. “Our region is facing tough times and these dollars will help improve our quality of life and increase economic prosperity.”
PUGET SOUND
Sound Transit, Link Light Rail ($75 million) – Sound Transit is proposing to build a 14-mile light rail system through downtown Seattle to the City of SeaTac. This is the first phase of a multi-stage, multi-modal, project. This project is near completion of signing a revised Full Funding Grant Agreement with FTA for $500 million. Senator Murray has secured $75 million for this project in previous appropriations.
Seattle, Alaskan Way Viaduct & Seawall ($1 million) – The Alaskan Way Viaduct seismic vulnerability puts public safety and the region’s economy at risk. Studies show that within the next 10 years there is a one in twenty chance the viaduct and seawall will fail during a strong earthquake. Currently the state and city are examining the best plan to replace the viaduct, and this funding will assist in that effort.
I-405 Corridor Improvements ($2 million) – This project is one of six first phase projects in the I-405 Corridor. It provides congestion relief from downtown Bellevue to I-90 and improves ramp merges to I-90. Senator Murray has secured $2 million for this project in previous appropriations.
I-405 Congestion Relief Project ($2.5 million) – This project will help fund efforts to provide congestion relief, such as: transportation management associations; work options; land use; commute trip reduction programs; and provide for park and ride assistance.
FAST Corridor ($3 million) – This funding will continue the development of the highly successful and nationally recognized freight mobility program. FAST Corridor focuses on improving the region’s north-south rail and port access routes between the ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett. Senator Murray has secured over $130 million in federal funds for this project in previous appropriations and in TEA-21.
Seattle, Elliot Avenue & BNSF Crossing Path Improvements ($1 million) – This project will connect several separate areas into an 8.5 acre greenspace in downtown Seattle. It will also improve existing infrastructure while providing for safe pedestrian access to the central waterfront.
Seattle, South Lake Union Circulation System (Seattle Trolley) ($3 million) – This project will help begin preliminary work to provide direct transit service from Westlake Center to the redevelopment area at South Lake Union.
Seattle City Center ITS ($2.5 million) – This project will provide traffic and signal control system improvements, variable message signs, traffic surveillance cameras and communications with railroad crossing signals in downtown Seattle. This project will help the City better manage traffic coming in and out of the Port of Seattle, rail yards, roadway traffic, and transit centers.
Vashon Island Passenger-Only Ferry Initiative ($1 million) – This project will analyze and procure a new, efficient ferry boat for resuming service for the Vashon Island Passenger-Only service.
King County, South Park Bridge ($2 million) – This project will replace the existing, severely deteriorated, and substandard movable span bridge with a new fixed or movable span bridge and new approaches. Senator Murray secured $990,000 for this project in previous appropriations.
King County, Park and Ride on First Hill, Seattle ($3.626 million) – This project will help build a new park and ride lot on First Hill. This lot will provide commuter and patients of area hospitals greater access and mobility.
Sound Transit, Regional Express Transit Hubs ($2 million) – This project will provide further improvements to several transit hubs feeding the Sound Transit system. These hubs are located in South Everett, Kirkland, Issaquah, Federal Way and Lakewood. Senator Murray secured $4 million for this project in previous appropriations.
King County, Countywide Signal Program ($1.5 million) – This project will help implement signal synchronization, signal enhancements and intelligent transportation system applications along high priority corridors in King County. This project included will help reduce congestion, reduce commutes, improve freight mobility, increase transit efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance public safety.
King County, Metro Clean Air Buses ($5 million) – This project will help purchase 25 new Hybrid clean air buses to replace outdated dual-powered diesel buses.
SeaTac, Third Runway NAVAIDS and Radar ($9.7 million) – This project will provide funding for state of the art visual and electronic navigational aids on the Third Runway and at the other two runways.
SeaTac, Air Traffic Control Tower ($2 million) – This funding will support the building of a new Air Traffic Control Tower. Senator Murray secured $2.65 million in funding for this project in previous appropriations.
SeaTac, TRACON ($5.28 million) – This funding will help build a new TRACON safety system. Senator Murray secured $30.8 million in funding for this project in previous appropriations.
Everett, Air Traffic Control Tower ($2 million) – This funding will help Paine Field making improvements to their Air Traffic Control Tower. Senator Murray secured $925,000 in funding for this project in previous appropriations.
Everett, BNSF Railroad Track Relocation ($500,000) – This project involves the relocation and upgrade of certain railroad tracks in the vicinity of the City of Everett’s 41st Street Overcrossing Project. The track project will serve the dual purpose of improving freight mobility by eliminating an at-grade crossing in this area, and improving shoreline access and wetland habitat enhancement. Senator Murray secured $3.7 million for this project in previous appropriations.
Pierce Transit Clean Bus Initiative ($1 million) – This project will help provide needed infrastructure improvements to support Pierce Transit’s completion of a clean bus initiative. Senator Murray secured $6 million for this project in previous appropriations.
Auburn, Auburn Way South ITS ($1.6 million) – This project will improve signalization and commuter awareness in downtown Auburn.
Kitsap Transit, Marina Expansion & Kitsap Transit Passenger Ferry Terminal ($3 million) – This project will help improve and expand access to passenger-only ferries in Bremerton. Specifically, the project will help construct access from the Bremerton Marina and provide a new ferry terminal.
Southworth Terminal Redevelopment/Vashon Terminal Preservation ($1 million) – This project will help supplement existing state funds to improve and expand the Southworth Terminal and Vashon Terminal.
SR 509/SR 518 Interchange/Intersection Redevelopment (Burien) ($2 million) – This funding will advance the preliminary design and environmental work necessary to redevelop this interchange into a fully functioning freeway-to-freeway interchange. The SR 509/SR 518 Interchange provides primary access to the City of Burien and is a major freight connector to the SeaTac Airport.
Tukwila, Signalization Interconnect and Intelligent Transportation ($1.4 million) – This project will help construct a Traffic Signal Command Center where interconnected signals throughout the City of Tukwila can be controlled and monitored by engineers and technicians via instantaneous video and data feeds. This will help reduce traffic significantly by allowing for real-time decisions regarding changing the flow of traffic.
Edmonds Crossing Multimodal Transportation Terminal ($2 million) – This project will provide for the second phase of the Edmonds Crossing Multimodal Transportation Terminal. When completed this project will improve opportunities for connecting various forms of travel, including rail, ferry, bus, bicycle, walking and rideshare. Senator Murray secured $4 million for this project in previous appropriations.
I-5, 116th Street NE Interchange Improvements (Snohomish) ($2 million) – Improvements to the 116th Street NE Interchange in Snohomish are necessary to improve commuter and freight mobility in the region. This project will help in the design, right of way acquisition, and construction of this new interchange improvement project.
I-5, Lynnwood City Center Exit ($1 million) – This funding will help construct a new off ramp from I-5 southbound to the intersection of Alderwood Mall Parkway and Alderwood Mall Boulevard. It will allow for more direct access to the City of Lynnwood, the City Center area, the new convention center, Sound Transit Regional Transit Center; and Alderwood Mall.
Everett, Bus Replacement Project ($1 million) – This project will help purchase 2 heavy duty and 5 medium duty transit buses that are high-quality, ADA-compliant replacement transit vehicles. Senator Murray secured $2.225 million for this project in previous appropriations.
172nd Street/I-5 Interchange and Bridge Expansion (Arlington & Marysville) ($3 million) – This overpass is consistently over capacity, resulting in traffic backups onto the interstate, affecting traffic and freight mobility on the main route between the Puget Sound region and Canada. This project will provide critical access and expansion of roadway that will alleviate traffic congestion within the cities of Arlington and Marysville.
Mukilteo Lane Park and Ride ($1 million) – With Sound Transit Commuter Rail opening North of Seattle and the increased use of the Mukilteo Intermodal Ferry Terminal, the need for parking has increased. This project will help begin planning of a new park and ride to serve the Mukilteo Intermodal Ferry Terminal.
Community Transit Park and Ride Lot Expansion Program ($2 million) – This project will help increase the park and ride lot at Mountlake Terrace Park and Ride at I-5 and 236th by 400 spaces. Senator Murray secured $7.25 million for park and ride expansion for Community Transit in previous appropriations.
Community Transit Bus and Van Replacement ($1 million) – This project will help Community Transit with their aggressive and comprehensive bush and van replacement project.
Mukilteo Multimodal Terminal ($1 million) – This project will help supplement existing state funds to improve and expand the Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal.
Skagit County, 3-Bridge Corridor Project ($800,000) – This project will help construct improvements to the three bridges that span the Skagit River. These bridges are currently at risk for flood damage from the Skagit River. If one or more of these bridges were to fail, commuter and freight traffic in the region would be severely impacted.
Non-Transportation Requests
General Services Administration – Henry M. Jackson Federal Building ($6.868 million) – These resources will be used to make repairs and improvements to the existing federal building.
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