Washingtonians could benefit from improved transportation options and access, additional highway capacity, a new passenger terminal for ferry travelers, and upgrades to more than a dozen freight-rail bridges, if the state’s applications are selected to receive a portion of $500 million available in federal grant funds.
On Friday, June 5, the Washington State Department of Transportation submitted applications for three Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants, requesting more than $43 million combined in transportation investments.
The grant program focuses on projects that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe and affordable transportation. In the previous six rounds of TIGER Discretionary Grant awards, the average award size nationally has been $14.5 million. The maximum award is $200 million and no more than $125 million will be awarded to projects in a single state.
Project descriptions and TIGER VII funding requests
SR 167/8th St E to 15th St SW – Northbound HOT Lane Extension
This project will add 3 miles of northbound high occupancy toll lanes to State Route 167 in north Pierce and south King counties, extending the HOT lane system from 12 miles to 15 miles. The project will add capacity for freight, transit and commuters; reduce congestion; and improve safety on this heavily traveled corridor. In addition to extending the HOT lane, work includes installing overhead tolling equipment in two locations and repaving 7 miles of the northbound lanes. WSDOT is seeking $18 million to construct this project.
Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal Relocation
This project replaces the aging, seismically deficient Mukilteo ferry terminal and relocates it to the site of a former U.S. Air Force tank farm, east of the existing terminal. The new terminal increases efficiency and capacity and features separated, overhead loading for pedestrians, dedicated bicycle and HOV lanes, a six-bay bus transit center, and improved connections to the adjacent commuter-rail station. The project will also remove a dilapidated 1,300-foot-long pier. WSDOT is seeking $20 million to construct this project.
Connecting the Inland Pacific Hub Multimodal Centers to Global Marketplace – Phase 2
This project repairs one steel bridge and three timber bridges and replaces 11 timber bridges on the Washington state-owned Palouse and Lewiston Branch Rail Line between the cities of Marshall (Spokane County) and McCoy (Whitman County). The P&L Branch of the Palouse River & Coulee City Rail System passes through some of the nation’s most productive wheat farmland and provides a critical link between a planned container loading facility and the McCoy Grain Terminal. WSDOT is seeking $5.39 million for this project. The Port of Whitman County is a co-applicant with WSDOT for the grant request.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will announce the TIGER VII Grant awards by the end of the summer or in early fall.
