NW Washington News

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to Northwest Washington to highlight how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is helping to build a cleaner and greener ferry system in Washington state.

MUKILTEO, WA – On Thursday, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to Northwest Washington to highlight how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is helping to build a cleaner and greener ferry system in Washington state.  

Larsen and Buttigieg joined Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Patty Murray, Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin and several local elected officials and staff to tour the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal and meet with members of the press before riding the M/V Spokane from Edmonds to Kingston.  

“In the Pacific Northwest, ferries are a necessity – not a luxury,” said Larsen. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, states like Washington are making the commitment to cleaner and greener passenger ferry fleets and shoreside infrastructure to reduce pollution, create more jobs, and keep people and the economy moving. I will continue to work with Secretary Buttigieg to fully implement the BIL’s historic provisions to ensure Puget Sound benefits from this movement toward a cleaner and greener transportation network.” 

Larsen a Champion of Cleaner and Greener Ferries 

Larsen is a champion of bold, long-term investments to build a cleaner and greener ferry system in Northwest Washington. Larsen supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included a provision based on his GREEN Ferries Act that directs at least $250 million for a pilot initiative to help states and localities purchase electric or low-emission ferries and construct related infrastructure. In January, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced $11.6 million in BIL funding for the improvement and electrification of the Washington State Ferry fleet, including a $4.9 million grant for shoreside electrification at the Clinton Ferry Terminal. 

Larsen Busy Highlighting Transportation Investments in Local Communities 

This week, Larsen has been busy meeting with local elected officials, transit agency leadership, staff and stakeholders to discuss how recent infrastructure investments like the BIL are creating more jobs and building a cleaner, greener, safer and more accessible transportation network in Northwest Washington:  

·        Edmonds Bike Town Hall – On Monday, Larsen joined the Edmonds Bicycle Advocacy Group for a 5.5-mile bicycle town hall that included several stops along the route to discuss how federal funding could benefit local bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects. 

·        Meeting with Burlington Mayor – On Wednesday, Larsen met with Burlington Mayor Steve Sexton to discuss how a $2 million federal planning grant helps the City identify which of its sixteen at-grade rail crossings is most suitable for grade separation to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. 

·        Meeting with Skagit Transit – On Wednesday, Larsen met with Skagit Transit CEO Crystle Stidham to tour the transit agency’s new Maintenance, Administration and Operations facility, which was recently awarded a $5 million Bus and Bus Facilities grant to support growing regional transit needs.  

·        Meeting with Whatcom Transportation Authority – On Wednesday, Larsen met with General Manager Les Reardanz to discuss how a $9,644,865 Low- and No-Emission grant will enable the transit agency to purchase eleven new diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace three diesel buses and eight hybrid buses. 

·        Meeting with Community Transit – On Thursday, Larsen met with members of Community Transit’s Board of Directors to ride on CT’s first battery-powered bus and discuss the transit agency’s next steps toward a zero-emission fleet. 

Additional Information 

For more information on how Northwest Washington communities are benefiting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 

·        Click here for a White House fact sheet on how BIL funding is already at work in Washington. 

·        Click here for an interactive map of ongoing BIL projects in Washington and across the country.  

Original source can be found here.