For Immediate Release:

Thursday, September 4, 2003

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Transportation, Treasury, and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, has secured millions of dollars in federal funding for Southwest Washington’s transportation priorities. The funding will address critical infrastructure needs throughout the region including roads, buses, rails and transit facilities.

The full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the bill earlier today. The funding, which Murray earmarked specifically for Southwest Washington, is in addition to the formula funding the state receives annually from the federal government. In 2004, the state will get $542,767,926 in Federal Highway Administration grant funding and $101,731,719 in Federal Transit Administration grant funding. “I am proud to have helped secure these critical federal dollars for transportation projects throughout Southwest Washington. By investing in our transportation infrastructure, we are creating good-paying construction jobs today and paving the way for future economic growth,” Senator Murray said. “Our region is facing tough times and these dollars will help improve our quality of life and increase economic prosperity.”

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON PROJECTS

Intercity Transit Bus Expansion and Replacement (Thurston County) ($1 million) - This project will help Intercity Transit purchase 44 heavy duty buses. Senator Murray secured $250,000 for this project in previous appropriations.

Vancouver, I-5 Pedestrian Bridge ($500,000) - This project is part of the Confluence Project commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition. Specifically, this project will help construct a “land bridge” or pedestrian crossing over I-5 that would reconnect the main portion of the Vancouver National Historic Reserve with the waterfront.

Clark County Transit, Bus Replacement ($3 million) - This project will help Clark County Transit replace 41 aging buses. Senator Murray secured $4.7 million for this project in previous appropriations.

Clark County Transit, VAST ITS ($1.6 million) - This project will help C-TRAN continue the deployment of advanced traveler information systems (such as real-time arrival kiosks at transit centers) and a fleet maintenance management system.

WA High-speed Rail Corridor Grade Crossing Project ($1.25 million) - This program of projects will be used to upgrade crossing circuitry near Marysville and Bellingham, improve public crossings near Castle Rock and Kelso, and to design a grade separation for West 39th Street in Vancouver.

Lexington Bridge Project, Cowlitz County ($1.5 million) - A new bridge over I-5 in the Lexington and Longview-Kelso areas will disperse urban area commuter traffic and promote redevelopment of downtown and West Kelso. Senator Murray secured $6 million for this project in previous appropriations.

I-5, 219th Street Interchange (Battle Ground) ($2 million) - This project will help improve safety in Battle Ground by helping to construct a new I-5/NE 219th Street Interchange. A recent WSDOT study recommended this interchange to improve safety mobility, access and travel times from I-5 to the SR 502 Corridor.

I-5, Rush Road to Maytown Widening, Lewis County ($2 million) - The project is one phase of I-5 corridor widening in Lewis County from Rush Road to 13th Street. The project will add one additional through lane on I-5 in each direction that will improve traffic flow and reduce accidents. In addition, the project will construct a new interchange on I-5, which will improve access to the Port of Chehalis.

Chehalis, I-5 Exit 79 Interchange Bridge Replacement ($3 million) - This project will help replace the I-5 Exit 79 Interchange Bridge along Chamber of Commerce Way in Chehalis to provide additional vehicle and pedestrian capacity. The bridge connects with the Chamber of Commerce Way railroad overpass to provide access between the east and west sides of Chehalis.

WA Small Bus System Program of Projects

This group of projects helps provide bus replacement and needed equipment to several smaller transit agencies in the state of Washington. Senator Murray secured $8.89 million for this statewide group of Small Bus System of Projects in previous appropriations.

Twin Transit (Centralia)($108,000)

Grays Harbor ($114,000)