For Immediate Release

February 13, 2003

SIXTH DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
APPROVED IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL THURSDAY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The multi-agency spending bill passed Thursday by the House of Representatives included funds for several important transportation improvements in the Sixth Congressional District, Congressman Norm Dicks said.

            The congressman, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said that the House overwhelmingly approved the large appropriations bill containing funds for the U.S. Department of Transportation, among several other government agencies, through the end of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2003.   Included was funding to begin the federal government's participation in the Bremerton ferry tunnel project, a critical improvement that will route inbound ferry system traffic around the downtown area of Bremerton and spur the city's redevelopment efforts. 

            Rep. Dicks said the final agreement will provide a total of $6.2 million for initial work on the tunnel in Bremerton.  "Removing the constant disruption of ferry traffic across Pacific Avenue in downtown Bremerton will make an enormous improvement in the business climate of the city's central core," he said.  "With the planned construction of the government center, the new park area and the improvements already made at the Admiral Theatre, this traffic improvement can play a vital role in our redevelopment strategy," he added.

            The transportation portion of the spending bill also included funds for the Hood Canal Bridge repair project, another increment of funding for the Olympic Discovery Trail and for various transit and bus related improvements throughout on the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas.    

            The following 6th District area transportation appropriations were contained in the omnibus appropriations bill, approved today by a margin of 338-to-83:

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