HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-07 - Grant Award - United States Department of Transportation's FastlaneMEDIA RELEASE
July 7, 2016
Contact:
Rachel Bianchi, City of Tukwila
206 396 0341 cell
Rachel.Bianchi @TukwilaWa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tukwila, WA: The City of Tukwila received a $5 million grant from the United States Department of
Transportation's FASTLANE program to support its efforts to extend Strander Boulevard under the
Union Pacific tracks just east of West Valley Highway. This project will complete the third and final
phase in the construction of a critical east -west multi -modal corridor serving the northern portion of the
Green River Valley.
"We are very pleased that USDOT recognized the importance of this project, particularly as it relates to
the movement of freight throughout the region," commented Tukwila Mayor Allan Ekberg. "The Green
River Valley is the second largest warehousing and manufacturing center on the west coast, and more
east -west connections will allow for better mobility to get goods to market efficiently. Additional east -
west capacity will also help residents, commuters, shoppers and other visitors move in and out of
Tukwila easier."
The Strander Boulevard Extension project includes a grade- separated crossing under the Union Pacific
rail line, a four -lane arterial connecting West Valley Highway to SW 27th Street in Renton, better access
to Sound Transit's Tukwila Commuter Rail Station and a combined pedestrian /bicycle facility. Once
opened, it is expected to reduce traffic on 1 -405 by 51,500 trips per year, as well as provide congestion
relief on existing east -west routes such as Grady Way and South 180th Street.
The City of Tukwila continues to seek other funding for this project, which has been identified as a
regional priority project by the Washington Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board ( FIMSIB). The
total project budget for this phase is $38 million. FIMSIB has committed $5 million and the City of
Tukwila has budgeted $2 million for design and right -of -way acquisition. The project was also
recommended for another $5.1 million in funding by the Puget Sound Regional Councils' Transportation
Policy Board, and additional funders have indicated support. The City has already initiated the design
and engineering process and is scheduled to begin construction in 2018.
USDOT's Fostering Advancement in Shipping and Transportation ( FASTLANE) grant program provides
funding for projects of national or regional significance. The Department selected 18 projects totaling
$759.2 million dollars.