For Immediate Release:

Thursday, June 5, 2003

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced that $2,483,750 in federal grants for US Highway 12 will be released on June 11th.

The Federal Highway Administration Interstate Maintenance grants were funded under the fiscal year 2003 Transportation spending bill.

As the ranking Democrat on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray made funding for Highway 12 a top priority.

“I am pleased to announce the release of these funds for one of the most important transportation routes in our state,” Senator Murray said. “By widening this heavily traveled two-lane highway, we will be improving the safety of our communities while paving the way for new economic growth in Southeast Washington.”

Senator Murray secured the funding for US Highway 12, in the fiscal year 2003 Transportation spending bill, which was passed by Congress in February.

Highway 12, from Burbank to Walla Walla, is a heavily traveled two-lane highway with average daily traffic counts up to 12,000 vehicles per day, with nearly a third of it being freight trucks. This money will help fund Phase II of this multi-phase project. Specifically, it will build a railroad bridge over the highway to allow for the building of a four-lane highway.

Murray secured an addition $1.9 million for Highway 12 expansion in the fiscal year 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill. This money is expected to be released in the near future.