Tacoma is slated to receive $1 million in Federal funds to build a new intermodal transit center, according to a statement released today by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray. The funding request was included in the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill passed the full Senate today.
The money will go toward the acquisition of property for the construction of the new center. According to Sen. Murray, who chairs the THUD subcommittee, the project will create over 200 jobs during the construction phase, reduce congestion in downtown Tacoma, and spur economic expansion and job growth in the long-term.
“This public infrastructure project will help to mitigate traffic congestion in the downtown core and will act as a catalyst to attract greater private investment in a more sustainable manner,” said City Manager Eric Anderson.
The following Tacoma and Pierce County projects are also included in the bill:
I. 70th Avenue and Valley Avenue East Corridor Project (Fife) $1.5M — This funding will help to widen and improve road conditions on the 70th Avenue corridor, a major north-south arterial between the Port of Tacoma and Fife industrial areas. The project will ease high congestion levels, improve freight mobility, and increase safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
II. Topia Mobile Object Infrastructure Technology (Tacoma) $2M — This funding will allow Topia Technology to continue their partnership with the System Wide Information Management (SWIM) Program, which develops streamlined data management for the Federal Aviation Administration. The completion of this project will enhance the safety, security and efficiency of the FAAs information system management, resulting in improved safety across the board for air travelers and cargo.
III. Puyallup Bus Rapid Transit Project / Alternatives Analysis (Puyallup) $1.5M — This funding would provide for the initial engineering study to implement a frequent transit connector service between downtown Puyallup and the South Hill community. Puyallup’s proposed transit connector service would ease congestion on main corridors by connecting the region’s commuters to city transit centers such as Puyallup’s Sound Transit station, which boasts the highest daily access in the Sound Transit system.
IV. Pierce Transit Diesel-Electric Bus Acquisition (Pierce County) $1.3M — This funding will allow Pierce Transit to acquire six hybrid diesel-electric buses to replace aging vehicles in Pierce Transit’s existing fleet. The acquisition of new, more fuel efficient buses will allow Pierce Transit to reduce operating costs and maintain its extensive transit services, which operate in more than 25 cities and carry approximately 17 million passengers annually.
V. Downtown Gig Harbor Revitalization Project (Gig Harbor) $1.5M — This funding will provide for the construction of a pedestrian bridge and a new intersection in order to smooth traffic flow and improve parking at a recreational and economic crossroads in Gig Harbor. The construction of the pedestrian bridge and adjustment of the intersection 500 feet to the north will create local construction employment and provide safety enhancements for both pedestrians and vehicles, helping them to access local businesses and a community park.
VI. HOPE Center Project (Gig Harbor) $750,000 — This funding would help to complete the construction of the Gig Harbor HOPE Center, a multi-use facility run by the local Boys and Girls Club to serve the needs of local at-risk school age youth. This new facility will provide a host of services to local youth including computer and vocational training and after school programs and activities. Adult services at the site will also be provided, including adult literacy courses and job skills training and placement.
