(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has included millions in funding for transportation, housing, and community development projects in Snohomish County in critical yearly spending legislation. The funding is included in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which provides funding for most federal government programs and targeted community projects for Fiscal Year 2009. The Omnibus bill is separate from the Economic Recovery bill Passed by Congress and enacted by Barack Obama last week. As Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Subcommittee, Senator Murray helped to include millions for important projects and programs in Snohomish County in the Omnibus bill.
"We are investing in Main Street again," said Senator Murray. "In the face of a deepening recession, this bill puts federal funding back into our communities where it can create jobs and address local needs. This funding will help get residents back to work, improve public transportation, and will be a helping hand for families struggling in Snohomish County. I’m proud to work to return Snohomish County taxpayer dollars to projects in their own backyard."
The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill will fund projects for the remainder of the 2009 Fiscal Year which runs until September 30th, 2009. The federal government is currently operating under spending levels passed for Fiscal Year 2008 because President Bush refused to sign many 2009 spending bills last year and Congress was forced to pass a continuing resolution. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill was unveiled today and is expected to be passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in the coming weeks. The funding levels included in this bill represent what will be sent to the President if the bill is approved by Congress.
The following projects were included in the bill in the Snohomish County region:
Granite Falls Alternate Route, Snohomish County: $2,375,000
The Granite Falls Alternate Route project will divert haul trucks and trailers from downtown Granite Falls to a corridor outside the city. In addition to increasing the mobility and safety of residents and businesses, this alternate route will reduce travel time and barriers for freight movement, and support economic growth throughout the region.
“The completion of this project will be a strong example of how local, state and federal partnerships can provide a safer route that also improves the quality of life and economic growth in the region," said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. "I thank Senator Murray for her continued commitment to the Granite Falls Alternative Route and enabling this project to be competed.”
U.S. 2 Safety Improvements, Snohomish County: $2,018,750
These improvements will reduce fatal and injury accidents and increase traveler and pedestrian safety. The project will also reduce congestion-related collisions within Monroe & Sultan by enhancing signal operations systems. US 2 carries over 6 million tons of goods annually and is a major recreational route to Stevens Pass and Eastern Washington. Project improvements along the corridor will help keep those goods moving with minimal delay to both the Puget Sound region and Eastern Washington.
Everett Transit Vehicle Replacement, City of Everett: $712,500
This funding will help Everett Transit to acquire two new, ultra-clean hybrid diesel-electric, low floor, and ADA compliant coaches to replace older diesel-powered coaches that will have operated over 500,000 miles each. These replacement transit coaches will assist with reducing emissions and improve in-service fuel economy thus improving the air quality in the Puget Sound region.
“We are taking steps to promote a greener environment with the purchase of hybrid diesel-electric Everett Transit buses,” Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson said. “By embracing this request to replace older diesel buses with ultra-clean hybrids, we can reduce the amount of pollutants discharged and continue to provide excellent transit service to our customers.”
YWCA Snohomish County Regional Housing Network Expansion: $380,000
These funds will be used to upgrade the 3 housing expansion projects currently under way to promote housing stability and family self-sufficiency for homeless and at-risk low-income working families. These improvements will increase the YWCA’s capacity to deliver effective on-side services those living in this YWCA housing community and the surrounding neighborhoods.
“Closing the gap between wages and the cost of housing is essential to preserve our region’s economic competitiveness and quality of life," Sue Sherbrooke, CEO, YWCA Seattle-King County-Snohomish County. "Our project makes the gap smaller in Snohomish County by preserving affordable family housing and increasing access to the tools families need to increase their economic well being.”
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