Over $33 million in combined funding from Reconnecting Communities Program in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law both senators helped pass is going out to projects in Vancouver, Spokane, Seattle, and Forks, WA
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and U.S. Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03) and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07) announced over $33 million in federal funding for four important infrastructure projects across Washington state—including $30 million for the City of Vancouver to construct a lid over I-5 through downtown Vancouver as part of the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project, $2 million to plan new Bus Rapid Transit service in Spokane, $1.5 million for a highway lid study in Northeast Seattle, and $216,000 for the Hoh Tribe to improve connectivity and safety in the Hoh Highlands, which are bisected by Highway 101.
The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law both senators played a critical role in passing and is awarded under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program. The RCP Program focuses on addressing the harms of past transportation infrastructure decisions by improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, fostering equitable development and restoration, and providing technical assistance to further these goals.
“We worked hard to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because we knew how much of a difference this historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure would make in Washington state—and today, thanks to that law, we’re seeing hundreds of local projects newly underway, upgrading our roads, ports, and transit systems, and better connecting our communities,” said Senator Murray. “I’m excited to announce this latest round of awards, which includes $30 million to build a highway cover over I-5 in downtown Vancouver—this will create more public space and active transportation options while reconnecting downtown Vancouver to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and it’s a critical part of the Interstate Bridge Replacement project I’ve been working to advance for decades. I’m also really glad to see the Spokane Transit Authority awarded funding to plan Bus Rapid Transit service on Division Street, which is one of the busiest streets in Spokane—this project will mean faster, more reliable, and more frequent bus service for folks in Spokane. I’ll keep fighting in the new Congress to bring home federal funding to Washington state at every opportunity and protect the laws Democrats passed that are helping people and solving problems in our communities.”
The following grants were announced for Washington state from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
$30 million for the City of Vancouver’s Construction of Community Connector Lid over Interstate 5 in Vancouver, WA
The Vancouver Community Connector Lid Project is a joint project of the Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Vancouver to construct a lid over Interstate 5 through downtown Vancouver to create public space and add active transportation just south of Evergreen Boulevard. This project is part of the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program, which also includes extending light-rail service from Portland to Vancouver. The Connector will be located adjacent to a new light-rail station and will feature pathways for active transportation modes, as well as public spaces and amenities that complement the transit station and nearby uses. The facility will reconnect downtown Vancouver, Fort Vancouver (a historic and recreational area), and surrounding neighborhoods.
“With this funding, the City of Vancouver and WSDOT will be able to ensure the Vancouver Waterfront and Downtown remain beautiful and enjoyable places to spend time at when the I-5 bridge replacement project is completed. This park over I-5 will give people more green space to enjoy and allow visitor and commuters to easily and safety walk or bike right to the new transit options taking them across the river,” Sen. Cantwell said.
“As we build a new I-5 Bridge that we take pride in, we have the opportunity to safely and durably connect downtown with the historic Fort Vancouver and its surrounding neighborhoods,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “By bringing home funds to construct a cover over I-5 in downtown Vancouver, we’ll be able to create a public space with more ways to walk, bike, and explore our community and its history. It will benefit families, local small businesses, and the skilled tradespeople working on this project for years to come.”
$2 million for Spokane Transit Authority’s Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Project in Spokane, WA
This award is a planning grant for the Spokane Transit Authority’s Division Street Bus Rapid Transit Project, which seeks to convert the existing Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Route 25 to bus rapid transit (BRT) service.
Division Street is one of the busiest streets in Spokane and serves as the main north-south roadway connecting communities between downtown Spokane and Mead. The existing Route 25 bus service along Division Street carries nearly one million passengers annually—the second-highest ridership of any route in STA’s system, and forecasted growth along the corridor and in areas to the north is expected to contribute to an increased demand for transit service along this already busy bus route. Division Street is also currently not very pedestrian or bicycle friendly, creating safety issues.
The Division Street BRT Project will convert the existing Route 25 local bus to bus rapid transit service, with new stations and roadway modifications that will provide faster, safer, more reliable, and more frequent service. The project will also intersect with the City Line—STA’s first BRT line—and will include improvements to pedestrian and bicycle facilities to enhance access to transit and increase the use of active modes of transportation.
“This award will help Spokane Transit plan for improvements along Division Street that will make it safer for people to walk, bike, and ride on transit. Nearly 1 million riders travel on STA’s Route 25 down Division Street each year, and projects identified with this award will make it easier for people to hop on the bus into downtown for work, school, or to cheer on our teams at the Spokane Arena and One Spokane Stadium,” Sen. Cantwell said.
$1.5 million for the U District Partnership’s Lid Study for Northeast Seattle Project in Seattle, WA
This grant will fund a feasibility study and community engagement process for a proposed highway lid over I-5 in North Seattle between Northeast 45th Street and Northeast 50th street. The proposed highway lid presents an important opportunity to reconnect the neighborhoods of Wallingford, Roosevelt, and the University District—bringing new green spaces, opportunities for affordable housing, economic development, and vital resources to an area long divided and impacted by the freeway. It would complement a proposed highway lid over I-5 through downtown Seattle that received a RCP award last year.
The project is being led by the U-District Partnership (UDP) and a broad coalition of community partners, including the City of Seattle, Washington State Department of Transportation, and the Lid I-5 North Steering Committee, which is comprised of residents, property owners, business owners, and other stakeholders from the University District, Wallingford, and Roosevelt neighborhoods.
“With this award, the communities in Wallingford, Roosevelt, and the University District will map out a new park over I-5. This community-led project will envision ways to connect the neighborhoods with the potential to add new green space, build affordable housing, and reduce noise and air pollution from the Interstate,” Sen. Cantwell said.
“Highways that run through neighborhoods restrict economic opportunities, limit green space, and create barriers between our communities and businesses,” said Rep. Jayapal. “I’m pleased to see this crucial project receive the funding necessary to take steps to envision reconnecting the University District and Wallingford, as well as making our streets safer and reducing pollution. For decades, I-5 has divided our communities, and I’m proud to have worked to pass the Infrastructure Law which will bring this important funding home.”
$216,000 for the Hoh Indian Tribe’s Hoh Highlands Barrier Reduction Study of Highway 101 in Forks, WA.
This funding will advance a project being undertaken by the Hoh Tribe to improve the safety, access, and connectivity of the Hoh Highlands—which are currently bisected by Highway 101—and create a more cohesive Tribal community. The project includes planning and design of turning lanes, new street connections, pedestrian and non-vehicular passage along and across the highway, and other measures to reduce the barrier created by the highway.
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