For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, July 24, 2002

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that she has secured important federal funding for the Olympic Peninsula's transportation projects in the fiscal year 2003 transportation spending bill.

The funding will address critical infrastructure needs throughout the region, including bridges, busses, airports and transit facilities.

In addition to the earmarked funding, Washington state will also receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal highway and transit formula funding. Washington state will receive $510 million in Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) grants and $101 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants to address transportation issues across the state.

"I am proud to have helped direct federal funding to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington state in this year's transportation bill," Senator Murray said. "Our region's economy is facing tough times and we must do all that we can to keep jobs and business on the Olympic Peninsula. These increased monies will help ease congestion and increase public safety, and will go a long way to improving the quality of life and increasing economic prosperity for our region."

Transportation earmarks for the Olympic Peninsula:

Olympic Discovery Trail - $1 million This project will support expansion of the scenic bike and walking trail up and down the Olympic Peninsula.

City of Aberdeen, Washington Downtown Revitalization - $100,000 This funding would allow the city of Aberdeen to engineer needed pedestrian and traffic safety improvements to complement a highway widening project scheduled for the summer of 2003.

City of Port Angeles, International Gateway Project - $1.5 million This project will help finish parking facilities for the downtown Port Angeles International Gateway Project, which is a critical economic development project.

BIA Route 13/Route 1, Makah Indian Tribe - $5.4 million This funding will allow the 4.3 mile road from the Tribal Center to Cape Flattery to be paved, including bike and pedestrian lanes.

SR 104/Hood Canal Bridge East Half Replacement - $2 million This funding will help replace the deteriorating Hood Canal Bridge and increase its resistance to weather related damage.

Small Bus Systems Grant - Grays Harbor Transportation - $144,000 This funding will help replace three 25-foot buses in Grays Harbor.