Cantwell Applauds Major Sound Transit, Local Transit Infrastructure Investments

08.10.21

Cantwell Applauds Major Sound Transit, Local Transit Infrastructure Investments

Massive investment in nation’s transportation infrastructure includes key funding for Sound Transit and other Puget Sound transit authorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the estimated $381 million in federal funding included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that will boost completion of ongoing Sound Transit projects and another estimated $854 million going to other critical, local Puget Sound transit authorities.

“The $381 million in this bill for Sound Transit and additional money for transit agencies will help deal with the continued funding shortfall that Sound Transit has faced since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Getting further into Snohomish County is a must,” said Senator Cantwell.

Estimated funding for local Puget Sound transit authorities include:

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $89.9 billion for transit projects. Of that total funding:

• $39.15 billion will be allocated for public transit, including $1.79 billion for Washington. This funding will help to address maintenance backlogs, capital needs, and keep projects like the Sound Transit expansion to Tacoma and Everett on track.
• $4.75 billion for state of good repair grants to support maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation projects.
• $8 billion for the Capital Investment Grant program, which has funded large transit projects like Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail and its extensions to Lynnwood, Federal Way, and the Eastside.
• $5.25 billion for the Low-No Emission Grant program to provide funding for projects replacing old buses with zero-emission and low-emission buses.
• Washington commuters who rely on public transportation spend more of their time commuting than those in passenger vehicles, and Non-white households are 1.7 times more likely to commute via public transportation.
• $250 million for a pilot program to provide grants for electric or low-emitting ferries.  

Senator Cantwell has been a strong proponent of supporting Washington state’s transit projects. Earlier this year, Senator Cantwell introduced the Public Transit Capital Investment Relief Act of 2021, legislation that would provide relief for public transportation agencies through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program by increasing the federal cost share of the total project cost for qualifying projects that are under construction or near completion.

Washington commuters who rely on public transportation spend more of their time commuting than those in passenger vehicles, and Non-white households are 1.7 times more likely to commute via public transportation. In 2018, Sound Transit supported a ridership of more than 48 million Washingtonians.

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