June 19, 2012

MERCER CORRIDOR: Murray, Cantwell Announce Major Federal TIGER Program Investment to Reduce Congestion, Boost Economy

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the Mercer Corridor project in Seattle will be receiving a $14 million investment under the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant program, which Senator Murray created.

“I created the TIGER program exactly for this reason—to invest in projects like the Mercer Corridor that create jobs, help commuters, and lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The Mercer Corridor is critical to the local Puget Sound economy, and I was proud to work with the local community to make sure the Department of Transportation understood the need for this investment.”

“This award is great news for Seattle and its regional businesses and jobs,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “The Mercer West project will help alleviate traffic and support economic growth in Seattle and across the Puget Sound. By improving access to the Port of Seattle and the SR-99 bored tunnel, this project will facilitate the movement of freight. I was proud to join Senator Murray in supporting this critical project for Puget Sound commuters and travelers.”

This is the second round of TIGER funding received by the Mercer Corridor project. The other Washington state TIGER investment announced today is the North-South Freeway project in Spokane.

Murray wrote the TIGER program to fund transportation projects like the Mercer Corridor that not only quickly create jobs and boost local economies but that also make a significant investment in improving transportation infrastructure that is vital to a region’s sustained job growth and economic competitiveness. The grants were awarded competitively by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Mercer Corridor West (Mercer West) project transforms a major east-west arterial bottleneck into an integrated system of freight, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and car improvements that connect four of the Puget Sound’s growth centers to the regional transportation system. It is the second critical phase in the Mercer Corridor project that creates a continuous two-way arterial street from Interstate 5 (I-5) to Elliott Avenue West. Mercer West is a priority for the city, state and region, and has support from residents, businesses, and community groups. It will create 1,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs through its construction. (From Seattle DOT)