Federal transportation bill includes money for projects throughout King County

A federal transportation bill signed into law today by President Clinton includes $25 million for the Puget Sound region's Freight Action STrategy Corridor program and another $46.6 million for other major transportation projects within the county, King County Executive Ron Sims said today.

"FAST Corridor and the Sunset interchange were top priorities for us, and we got everything we asked for in the bill," Sims said.

In addition to the FAST Corridor money, the federal bill earmarks $26.8 million for the Interstate 405/Northeast Eighth Street interchange in Bellevue and $19.8 million for the Sunset interchange planned for Interstate 90 on the Sammamish Plateau.

FAST Corridor includes a series of projects throughout King County to separate freight from general traffic and eliminate congested grade crossings. The work will speed the movement of goods through the region and keep Puget Sound ports competitive with other West Coast ports.

Sims thanked the state's congressional delegation for its support, particularly Reps. Jim McDermott and Adam Smith for their work on the FAST Corridor funding, and Rep. Jennifer Dunn for helping secure Sunset interchange funds.

Sims noted that Sens. Patty Murray and Slade Gorton helped secure funding and also were instrumental in developing a new $700 million trade corridor and border crossing program, under which FAST Corridor can continue to compete for funds.

Specific FAST Corridor projects funded by the bill over a six-year period include:

• $16 million for the North Duwamish Intermodal program, which includes improvements to State Route 519, the Spokane Street viaduct and East Marginal Way
• $4 million for grade separation on South 277th Street in Auburn
• $3 million for grade separation at C and Third streets in Auburn
• $2 million for grade separation at South 180th Street in Tukwila.