Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced millions in transportation funding for Skagit County that the U.S. House of Representatives approved today. The money is included in H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEALU).  The six-year, $284 billion surface transportation package replaces the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). TEALU doubles ferry funding as proposed by Larsen and includes money he pushed for in order to address congestion relief, increase safety on rural roads, and improve freight mobility in Skagit County and Washington state. A list of Skagit County projects is included at the bottom of this release.

“This bill lays out the framework for the next six years of federal transportation funding,” Larsen noted. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will keep pushing to make sure that the final version of this critical bill includes Skagit County transportation priorities.” 

The House bill incorporates Larsen’s proposal to boost ferry funding. The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries. If the provision is included in the final version of the bill, it will authorize $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems.

In addition to ferry funding, the bill includes other provisions that if passed would benefit Washington state.

“This bill will improve safety, relieve congestion, and spur economic growth in Skagit County communities,” Larsen said. “As this bill moves closer to the president’s desk, I will keep working to make sure that the bill invests in Skagit County transportation needs.”

Larsen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. TEA-21 was set to expire on September 30, 2003 but Congress extended it and failed to reauthorize the bill last year. The new bill, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009. It provides $284 billion in guaranteed funding. The Highway Trust Fund provides funding for the bill. It does not come from the general treasury and pays for itself with funds from the federal gas tax.

Projects of Statewide Significance
· $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems, Washington State: The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries.

· $500,000 for the West Coast Corridor Coalition, Washington State: Funds will allow the West Coast Corridor project to identify and advocate policies, strategies, projects, and funding to improve the movement of freight and goods through, from, and within the West Coast transportation system, and to mitigate the congestion and community impacts that arise from freight movement.

Skagit County
· $175,000 for College Way (SR 538) and North 26th Street Signal, Mount Vernon, WA: Funds will help install a signal at the College Way (SR 538) and North 26th Street intersection. This signal will provide access to Skagit Valley Community College and the new Performing Arts Center and ease congestion on College Way.
· $4 million for Roosevelt Extension/College Way (SR 538) at Urban Avenue to Cameron Way, Mount Vernon, WA: This funding would help construct a new arterial that would start at the intersection of Cameron Way and City Shop Road, cross Riverside Drive and end at College Way (SR 538). The project will increase access to commercial areas and reduce congestion on College Way.
· $4 million for Bridge Modification and Interstate Highway Protection Project (Skagit River), Skagit County, WA: The funding will help Skagit County move forward with flood mitigation efforts that require bridge extensions over a portion of the Skagit River.
· $1.2 million for North Sound Connecting Communities Project Planning Funds, Skagit County, WA: The NSCC project is a coalition of elected, agency and citizen representatives from the five north Sound counties (Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish). Together they will work on regional planning issues, ensuring that county transit and transportation system work together to provide options and access to residents in the region.
· $950,000 for Arterial Improvements at Fruitdale and McGarigle Roads, Sedro-Woolley, WA: This funding will complete the second phase of this project to improve Fruitdale and McGarigle arterial roads. These improvements will stimulate economic development, improve traffic safety, and increase access to Sedro-Woolley’s eastern urban growth area.

The Senate is working on its own version of the bill. Once Senate action is completed, House and Senate leaders will negotiate the differences in their bills and create and pass a conference agreement that will go to the president.