ICYMI: Senator Murray Introduces Public Transit Capital Investment Relief Act to Support Critical National Public Infrastructure Needs – MORE HERE
Senator Murray: “The fact that President Biden recommended allocations and set aside federal dollars for these two specific projects in his proposed budget shows he understands what I’ve been saying in the other Washington for years—that if the federal government is willing to help, Washington state is ready and willing to invest in transit and transportation infrastructure”
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today commended President Biden for recommending Capital Investment Grant (CIG) allocations for two Washington state transit projects in his budget proposal. The first is a $55.6 million federal commitment for the South King County bus rapid transit I Line project, and the second is a $75.2 million commitment for the Pacific Ave Route 7 bus rapid transit project in Pierce County. Senator Murray has advocated strongly to the Biden-Harris administration for both projects to receive CIG funding allocations and has written letters of support to the Federal Transit Administration in support of the bus rapid transit I Line project as well the Pacific Ave Route 7 bus rapid transit project.
“The fact that President Biden recommended allocations and set aside federal dollars for these two specific projects in his proposed budget shows he understands what I’ve been saying in the other Washington for years—that if the federal government is willing to help, Washington state is ready and willing to invest in transit and transportation infrastructure,” Senator Murray said. “These two projects would cut down on pollution and congestion, shorten commutes, and help create jobs and more equitable communities. I look forward to working with President Biden and my colleagues in the Senate to follow through on these and other critical infrastructure and transportation provisions in President Biden’s American Jobs Plan so families in Washington state can get to where they need to be.”
For the South King County bus rapid transit I Line project, King County Metro is seeking funding to improve transit service throughout South King County, including the cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Currently this corridor is served by two bus routes that operate every 15 to 30 minutes and are two of the busiest Metro routes in South King County, carrying 7,830 riders per weekday as of Spring 2018. Due to congested roads in the area, both routes experience reliability problems and existing bus stops within this corridor are often without safe pedestrian crossing access and have limited lighting. The RapidRide I Line would provide high-quality bus rapid transit service, serving to improve the connection for residents of Renton, Kent and Auburn to destinations across King County and the Puget Sound region. This project would also increase transit speed, reliability, and passenger carrying capacity while taking into account future population and employment growth. In addition, this project would strategically place RapidRide stations near important community destinations and would serve priority populations.
For the Pacific Ave Route 7 bus rapid transit project, Pierce Transit is seeking to construct a bus rapid transit line along Pacific Avenue/State Route 7 south from downtown Tacoma to Spanaway. The project includes the construction of 4.7 miles of dedicated transit lanes, purchase of 17 articulated BRT vehicles and improvement of intersections and sidewalks. The service is planned to operate every 10 minutes during weekday peak periods, every 15 minutes during weekday off peak periods, every 30 minutes on weekday evenings, and every 20 minutes on weekends.
Earlier this year, Senator Murray introduced the Public Transit Capital Investment Relief Act of 2021. The legislation would provide relief for public transportation agencies through the CIG Program by increasing the federal cost share of the total project cost for qualifying projects that are under construction or near completion. In Washington state, there are currently two major transit projects that would qualify for an increase in federal cost sharing under the legislation: the Lynnwood Link Extension and the Federal Way Link Extension, both in Seattle. Senator Murray’s legislation would increase funding for the Lynwood Link Extension by a projected $978 million and for the Federal Way Link Extension by $948 million. A full list of current Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Projects can be found HERE.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has consistently fought to increase and protect federal transportation and infrastructure grant programs, including the CIG program. Senators Murray has also been a strong advocate in Congress for securing and strengthening federal investments in Washington state transportation priorities, including previously helping Sound Transit secure a $1.4 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Federal Way light rail extension, making the project possible. Senators Murray was also instrumental in securing more than $1.2 billion in federal funding commitments for the Lynnwood Link extension project in 2018.
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