Seven communities to receive funding for public infrastructure projects

The Washington State Public Works Board awarded seven cities, counties and water districts approximately $3,504,774 in pre-construction and emergency loans for 2018. The board selected seven out of eight projects from applications requesting over $4.5 million.

The purpose of a pre-construction loan is to pay for the work required before constructions begins. These projects will improve water, sanitary sewer, roads, and street systems:

City of North Bend – $99,774 for North Bend Waste Water Treatment Plant Priority Improvements

City of Palouse – $250,000 for Water System Improvements Designs

King County – $1,000,000 for West Point Primary Sedimentation Area Roof Structure

Town of Cusick – $40,000 for Comprehensive Collection System Evaluation

Town of Cathlamet – $55,000 for Columbia Street Water Line Improvement

Kittitas County – $1,000,000 for Ellensburg Transfer Station Design

The board also approved an emergency loan at the Oct. 5 meeting:

Terrace Heights Sewer District in Yakima – $160,000 for Terrace Heights Drive Bridge Sewer Main Replacement

This is just the third time in the last five years the board has had funds to issue loans. The 2018 legislature authorized a total of $14 million for these loans that assist local governments. The next funding cycle for the remaining funds is targeted for January 2019. The legislature also provided $5 million in emergency loans which is a continuous application process until the funds are exhausted.

“I’ve been waiting a long time to provide local governments the assistance they need to serve the people living in their communities,” says Board Chair Scott Hutsell.

– Washington Department of Commerce