For Immediate Release:

Friday, November 18, 2005

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) announced that she has secured $50.639 million for transportation priorities throughout Northwest Washington. Senator Murray secured the funding as the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

Today, a House-Senate conference committee approved the FY 2006 spending bill for the departments of Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and other federal agencies. Now the bill goes to the full House and Senate for final passage and then to the President for his signature.

Updated on 11/30/05: The funding listed here is now federal law. President Bush signed these appropriations into law on November 30, 2005.

"In a tough budget year, we're making real investments in our roads, economy and community," Senator Murray said. "This funding will support jobs throughout the region, make our transportation infrastructure safer and more efficient, and strengthen the quality of life that families enjoy throughout Northwest Washington."

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON PROJECTS

• Blaine Exit Interchange and Border Crossing Improvements -- $2.5 million - This project will provide improvements to I-5 south of the U.S./Canada border and rebuild the current Blaine interchange (exit 276) south of its current location to mitigate the expansion of the Peace Arch Port of Entry Border facility, which will impact access to the City of Blaine. Senator Murray secured $3.134 million for this project last year.
• Blaine Peace Arch Border Station -- $46.534 million - The General Services Administration is expanding the Peach Arch Border Station. The funding secured by Senator Murray will enable the project to continue to move forward. Scheduled to be completed by the 2010 Olympics, the new border station will allow for more efficient crossings between the U.S. and Canada and increased border security.
• Bellingham Waterfront Redevelopment Project -- $500,000 - The funding secured by Senator Murray will assist the Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham in their efforts to redevelop the former Georgia Pacific site along the waterfront. Specifically, the funding will support track relocations throughout the project area. Senator Murray helped secure $9.78 million for similar transportation improvements for the project in the highway authorization bill that was signed into law in August.
• City of Mt. Vernon Transit and Redevelopment Study -- $200,000 - The funding secured by Senator Murray will assist the City of Mt. Vernon in developing a master plan for redevelopment of Old Downtown including transit, road, pedestrian, and waterfront improvements.
• Island Transit -- $480,000 - The funding provided will enable Island Transit to purchase 12 new vehicles to support rural mobility needs. Senator Murray secured $400,000 for vehicle purchases last year.
• Skagit Transit -- $425,000 - Skagit Transit is preparing for the expected influx of northbound travelers to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. Three phases of a regional transit project will help the North Sound region meet the higher demand. The funding provided will help Skagit Transit purchase new buses. Senator Murray secured $900,000 for bus acquisition last year.