Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced today that the House Appropriations Committee’s finalized spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development for Fiscal Year 2007 included $500,000 for safety improvements to U.S. 2.  Larsen pushed to include the $500,000 in the bill which is expected to come to the floor of the House for a vote the week of June 12th.

“U.S. 2 is a dangerous stretch of highway that has claimed the lives of 41 people since 1991,” said Larsen.  “This funding will be used for needed safety improvements that will help reduce injuries and fatalities and enhance passenger safety along the Highway.”

The $500,000 will enable the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to make urgent and immediate safety enhancements such as guard rails, centerline rumble strips, and left-turn pockets along U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Skykomish.

“This is a great first step to securing needed federal dollars for U.S. 2,” Larsen said.  “I am dedicated to protecting the funds for Highway 2 safety improvements through the remainder of the legislative process.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on this bill next week.  After passing the House, the Senate must act on its Fiscal Year 2007 spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury and Housing and Urban Development and the two chambers must agree on the final version of the bill before it can be signed into law.

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