Larsen: Infrastructure Law Boosts Accessibility, Cuts Inflation in Pacific NW
TL/DR –
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $3.3 billion for 132 projects across the country through the Reconnecting Communities Program and the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, including $561,524,356 for five projects in Washington state and Oregon. These programs aim to correct past infrastructure issues and improve the accessibility and safety of underserved communities. The projects in Washington and Oregon include the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority’s Reconnecting Communities Project, the City of Seattle’s I-5 Lid Project, the City of Tacoma’s I-5 Crossings Study, the Oregon Department of Transportation’s I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, and the City of Portland’s Broadway Main Street and Supporting Connections Project.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Historic Transportation Investment Announced
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a key Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, endorsed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent allocation of $3.3 billion through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood Access and Equity Program. The funding is provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
The DOT has earmarked $3.3 billion for 132 countrywide projects aimed at improving community connectivity and accessibility. This includes $561,524,356 for five projects in Washington and Oregon.
Larsen emphasized the historical significance of these programs, which seek to rectify past infrastructure missteps and enhance safety and accessibility in underserviced communities across the country, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
Major Boost for Washington and Oregon Projects
The DOT has allotted a total of $561,524,356 for five projects in Washington and Oregon:
Washington
$69,830,356 will go towards the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority’s Reconnecting Communities Project, funding the design and construction of two transit centers on the new Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line in King County.
Seattle will receive $2,000,000 for its I-5 Lid Project, a community-developed initiative addressing environmental damage caused by I-5 and the growing need for public land.
The City of Tacoma will be allotted $1,300,000 for its I-5 Crossings Study. The study will identify necessary improvements for safe travel across I-5.
Oregon
The Oregon Department of Transportation will be given a whopping $450,000,000 for its I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. This project aims at reconnecting a divided and historically Black community in Portland, Oregon. Last year, Larsen visited the area with Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03).
Portland will also receive $38,394,000 for the Broadway Main Street and Supporting Connections Project. The project is aimed at redesigning primary connections across I-5 and supporting equitable development in the city’s historically Black neighborhood, Lower Albina.
Additional Information
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has so far invested $8.2 billion in Washington and $4.9 billion in Oregon. For more details, check out the breakdowns for Washington and Oregon respectively.
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