Council President Richard Conlin
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Clark
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O’Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Seattle City Councilmembers thank the federal delegation and Governor
Mercer Street project awarded $30 million in TIGER funding
SEATTLE –The Seattle City Council today commended the federal delegation and Governor Gregoire for their tremendous efforts in securing funding for the Mercer Street project.
“Having an extraordinary federal presence in Washington DC, particularly the critical efforts of Sen. Murray, have made this award possible,” stated Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin. “Seattle competed against cities across the country for these precious dollars and working with the Governor and delegation exemplifies what we can achieve through collaboration.”
The $30 million was awarded from the $1.5 billion allocated through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transit Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery grant (TIGER). The City of Seattle’s Mercer project is a key component to the full transportation system improvements as it will better connect the bored tunnel Alaska Way Viaduct replacement and SR 520. This project also provides relief from the “Mercer mess” in the central corridor of South Lake Union and its neighborhoods.
“The Mercer project will serve the immediate needs of local economic recovery by putting people to work and will help to complete Seattle’s plan for the South Lake Union neighborhood,” stated Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair, Tom Rasmussen.
The TIGER grant award means the $191 million project is nearly fully funded. The Council expects to work with the Mayor in coming weeks to evaluate a number of options for securing the remaining $20 million in project funding.
“I’m excited to see that we’re getting this money for transportation projects here in Seattle. Thanks to Sen. Murray and Governor Gregoire’s leadership, after 46 years we’re now able to move ahead with fixing the Mercer Mess,” said Councilmember Jean Godden, Transportation Committee Vice-Chair.
Councilmember Bruce Harrell added, “I look forward to this project advancing. It will create a more direct connection between the two urban centers of Uptown and South Lake Union; enhance the bicycle and pedestrian environments and allow for a more direct route between I-5 and Seattle Center.”
“This announcement is great news for Seattle,” said Councilmember Tim Burgess. “The City should now turn to getting the bid out and starting the work as soon as possible.”
Seattle City Council meetings are cablecast live on Seattle Channel 21 and Webcast live on the City Council’s website at http://www.seattle.gov/council/. Copies of legislation, archives of previous meetings, and news releases are available on http://www.seattle.gov/council/. Follow the Council on Twitter at twitter.com and on Facebook at Seattle City Council.
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