FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dec. 15, 2023
Sen. Annette Cleveland (D-Vancouver) and Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, applaud the securement of $600 million in federal grant funds for the Interstate 5 Bridge project and released the following joint statement Friday:
“Today marks another tremendous step forward in our path to replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge. Our federal partners’ recognition of the years of hard work and commitment to replacing the aging infrastructure by both Oregon and Washington is so welcome and appreciated. I commend Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Maria Cantwell and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their outstanding efforts in securing this crucial funding for the project. Their dedication to replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge with a modern, safer river crossing equipped with robust transit options, as well as bike and pedestrian access, demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of our community,” Sen Cleveland said. “This achievement will not only enhance the safety and convenience of travel in our region but contribute to economic prosperity and job creation that will benefit communities across the region.”
“We are so thankful for the leadership, advocacy and tenacity of our leaders who have helped bring this project to fruition in the other Washington. We applaud them for their tireless work in securing these funds for the betterment of our region,” Sen. Liias said.
The federal grant secured Friday is in addition to the $1 billion provided by Washington in the 2022 Move Ahead package and the $1 billion matched by the Oregon Legislature earlier this year.
