Sen. Cantwell announces $538M in Sound Transit Link light rail funding

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., on Wednesday announced that she has secured more than $583 million for Sound Transit as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

The bill funds government programs through Sept. 30, 2023. According to Cantwell, Sound Transit will split the $538 million between two light Link light rail projects: the Federal Way extension, which will receive $329.14 million; and the Lynnwood extension, which will receive $254 million.

“Big news, the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension is now fully funded, and we are one step closer to getting light rail service into Snohomish County,” said Cantwell. “Sound Transit is in the midst of the largest transit expansion in the country, and with the historic rise in inflation and costs for construction materials, it was critical that the federal government step up to help transit agencies expeditiously fund these types of large projects.”

The money means that the Federal Way extension is fully funded three years ahead of schedule, while the Lynnwood extension is now on a path to be fully funded by fiscal year 2024, according to Cantwell.

The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program, which funds transit capital investments like heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit.

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