Murray secured major boost in funding for Capital Investment Grants Program in end-of-year funding package, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Senator Murray: “People continue to make one thing clear here in Seattle and across Washington state—they want more public transit. That’s why I work really hard, year after year… to secure as much funding for the Capital Investment Grants program—which is supporting this project—as I am able.”
Seattle, WA – Today, at a press conference in Seattle, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced over $64 million in funding she secured for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) for the design and construction of the RapidRide J Line Project along Roosevelt Way. The project will help connect Downtown Seattle with the neighborhoods of Belltown, South Lake Union, Eastlake, and the University District. With Senator Murray at today’s press conference were Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nuria Fernandez, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison, Seattle Department of Transportation Director Greg Spotts, Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera, and King County Councilmember Jorge Baron.
The $64,200,000 award is a Small Starts Project funded through the Capital Investment Grants Program (CIG), which Senator Murray funds each year through the appropriations process and has delivered major boosts in funding for over the years, including as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Administered by the FTA, the CIG program funds transit capital investments to expand public transit—including for bus rapid transit—and is essential to meeting critical transportation infrastructure needs in the Puget Sound.
“People continue to make one thing clear here in Seattle and across Washington state—they want more public transit. That’s why I work really hard, year after year, to give the people what they want, and to secure as much funding for the Capital Investment Grants program—which is supporting this project—as I am able. And I was glad to successfully deliver a major infusion into the program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as well,” Senator Murray said at the press conference today. “I look forward to watching this project put these federal funds to work, and I am going to make sure we keep moving forward in the other Washington too—where I’m fighting every day as Appropriations chair for investments in public transit like this that make a real difference in our state.”
The J Line Project will travel 5.2 miles and include 16 stations, 10 of which will be new or upgraded, and will feature other improvements such as enhanced lighting, and real-time arrival information. The project also features 2.3 miles of transit-only lane improvements, including 1.2 miles of new transit-only lanes combined with upgrades to 1.1 miles of existing bus lanes.
As a senior appropriator, Senator Murray secured over $2.6 billion—a $387 million increase—for the CIG program in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding package that passed in December 2022. The CIG funding Murray secured included $425 million for several ongoing CIG projects experiencing cost overruns—$115 million of which went to Sound Transit to support the Federal Way and Lynnwood Link projects.
“As Seattle works to build the best transit and transportation infrastructure in the country, we appreciate the support from our federal partners,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Secretary Buttigieg, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congresswoman Jayapal have prioritized projects that are good for Seattle, good for jobs, and good for transit. Our federal delegation has been relentless in their support of this critical project and other City and regional priorities. Seattle continues to invest in transportation options and infrastructure that provides riders with quick, reliable, and dependable service.”
“RapidRide J will make it reliable, safer and more attractive to ride the bus or bike from downtown to the University District, strengthening a regionally significant connection,” said SDOT Director Greg Spotts. “We are making major investments to seven of Seattle’s critical bus routes thanks to the Levy to Move Seattle, and are thankful to the Federal Transit Administration, Secretary Buttigieg, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congresswoman Jayapal for recognizing and funding this effort.”
“The RapidRide J Line provides the latest example of how Americans in communities from coast to coast are benefiting from the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in America through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Bus rapid transit is transforming cities and regions across the country with fast, frequent service. We are pleased to support Seattle’s latest rapid bus line that will help generations of residents and visitors connect to all the region has to offer.”
Senator Murray’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:
“Thank you, I am so glad to join everyone today as we announce a big federal investment of over $64 million dollars in a public transportation project that is going to really make a difference in the daily lives and commutes of so many people here in Washington state.
“This project packs a heck of a lot into five miles. When we are done here, we will have new and upgraded stations, and miles of new and upgraded transit-only lanes—as well as new protected bike lanes—which will all help connect the U-District, Eastlake, and South Lake Union neighborhoods to downtown.
“Not to mention—it will plug these neighborhoods into the rest of our robust public transportation system.
“And with all of that, the project will also, repair sidewalks, repave roads, replace a water main, make dozens of intersections safer, plant hundreds of trees, and more.
“And let’s not forget: when we are done, this won’t just mean fewer cars on the road, and less time spent in traffic. It is also going to help us lower greenhouse emissions—while creating 250 jobs to boot.
“People continue to make one thing clear here in Seattle and across Washington state—they want more public transit.
“That’s why I work really hard, year after year to give the people what they want and to secure as much funding for the Capital Investment Grants program—which is supporting this project—as I am able.
“And I was glad to successfully deliver a major infusion into the program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as well.
“Because just think about how much projects like this open up our city—right near this intersection alone there are so many examples.
“The J-Line expansion will make this corner more accessible to researchers heading to Fred Hutch and the Allen Institute for work, patients heading there for treatment, UW students going to work or internships, families celebrating a special occasion at Daniel’s Broiler or on an Argosy dinner cruise, and visitors staying nearby, or interested in seeing the MOHAI.
“And that’s just one corner we are talking about. Remember, this is a five-mile project!
“So I can’t tell you how excited I was to learn some of the money I fought hard to secure for the Capital Investment Grants program was coming right here to Seattle to make the RapidRide J-Line Project a reality.
“And I am so pleased to have FTA Administrator Fernandez—who works with communities like Seattle to implement this critical program—with us here today. Along with so many other local partners who know better than anyone what a gamechanger this will be: Mayor Harrell, Executive Constantine, Councilmember Rivera, and Councilmember Baron.
“I look forward to watching this project put these federal funds to work. And I am going to make sure we keep moving forward in the other Washington too—where I’m fighting every day as Appropriations chair for investments in public transit like this that make a real difference in our state.
“Thank you.”
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