(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that $113,444,557 has been released in grants by the U.S. Department of Transportation for mass transit projects in Washington state. The grants were funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and will be put to use improving transportation and creating jobs in Washington state.
“This is a prime example of Economic Recovery dollars being put to good use in our communities,” said Senator Patty Murray. “This funding will put people to work today, help our commuters, and keep businesses moving to sustain economic growth in the future. It will also help us move toward a cleaner transportation system by supporting the purchase of hybrid electric buses.”
This funding comes from the nearly $700 million for Washington state transportation infrastructure that Senator Murray fought to include in the recovery package.
As the Chairman of the Transportation and Housing Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing funding for the Department of Transportation, Senator Murray worked to ensure that investments in transportation were included in the Recovery Act. Senator Murray voted to pass the Recovery Act on February 13th. The bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th.
Washington state recovery funding total: $113,444,557
Seattle- King County Dep. of Transportation: $70,940,537
This grant will fund the purchase of 60 hybrid buses, as well as preventive maintenance.
Seattle- City of Seattle: $1,314,011
This grant will provide $1 million for Seattle Monorail Train Safety improvements, and $314,011 for preventive maintenance for the South Lake Union Streetcar.
Seattle- Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority: $22,061,105
This funding will be used for multiple regional projects, including: extension of the University Link project, the acquisition of 5 hybrid electric buses in East King County, construction of the Mountlake Terrace Freeway Station in the I-5 median, track and signal work for implementing Sound Transit’s Tacoma to Lakewood commuter rail service, and the Tukwila Commuter Rail Station.
Everett- Snohomish County Public Transit: $14,134,459
This funding will provide for the purchase of 22 replacement buses and preventive maintenance.
Olympia- Intercity Transit: $2,334,961
Funding will be used to purchase approximately four heavy-duty, wheelchair ramp equipped hybrid electric buses.
Richland- Ben Franklin Transit: $2,659,484
This grant will be used to continue the expansion of the Ben Franklin Transit base located in Richland.
*Tacoma- Point Defiance Bypass: $6,000,000
The purpose of this grant is to complete design and right-of-way acquisition requirements to prepare for the construction of 1.2 miles of new rail bed (from D to M street in Tacoma) (*This grant is from an FY 2008 appropriation, not ARRA)
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