Feds grant WSDOT $74M to reduce I-5 congestion, complete 'missing links'
The U.S. Department of Transportation plans to grant Washingtons transportation department about $73.7 million for Puget Sound region highway improvement projects, the agency announced Thursday.
The proposed WSDOT grant would help the state to complete 12 miles of highway projects to reduce congestion on Interstate 5 and complete "missing links" on the highway freight system that connects to Sea-Tac International Airport and the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma, according to a proposal summary. It includes projects on Interstates 5 and 90 and state Routes 509 and 167.
This federal grant, along with $1.9 billion in state and local contributions, will help close key gaps in the nations freight highway network, Washington Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar said in a statement. We are immensely grateful to Washingtons congressional delegation for all their work securing this important grant to support trade-dependent jobs and improve freight connections for the entire Northwest.
WSDOT's proposed work includes four miles of improvements on Interstate 5. The SR-167 project will extend the highway four miles to I-5; build a two-mile connection from I-5 to the Port of Tacoma; and include three interchanges at 54th Avenue, Valley Avenue and SR-161. The SR-509 project will extend the route two miles to connect to I-5 and create a new interchange at 24th Avenue S.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2020/06/19/feds-grant-wsdot-74m-for-highway-projects.html
Sounds like a pittance compared to what need to be done but better than nothing I guess.