| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 9:31 pm |
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Northwest 
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$1 billion in federal stimulus money sought for state rail projects Everett is among the places that would benefit TACOMA — Washington state is applying for $1 billion in federal stimulus money to pay for high-speed rail projects.The state Department of Transportation applied earlier this week for $435 million to pay for 20 rail projects along the “high-speed” corridor between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C. State officials say the projects will add additional daily Amtrak passenger trains between Seattle and Portland, as well as reduce rail congestion and improve on-time reliability. The project list includes upgrades to tracks and facilities in Blaine, Everett, Seattle, Kalama and Vancouver, Wash. By October, the state plans to apply for another batch of federal money for rail projects, boosting Washington's total request to $1 billion. Andrew Wood, deputy director of DOT's Rail and Marine Division, said the state has a good chance of getting money for several projects. “We're a long-established corridor and our long-range plans have been out there for a long time,” Wood told the News Tribune of Tacoma. “A lot of our competitors have only just started getting their plans together.” The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed in February provides $8 billion for high-speed rail corridors. Wood said the state should know by October which of Washington's projects would get federal money. All of the projects on the state's $435 million list would be ready to go to construction within 90 days of getting money. He said the total list of projects would create between 4,000 and 5,000 jobs. Two projects would speed up Amtrak passenger trains by letting them bypass the scenic but congested route around Tacoma's Point Defiance. A more direct route for passenger trains would shave six minutes off the travel time for Amtrak Cascades trains between Seattle and Portland. In Vancouver, the state wants to construct new railroad tracks for freight trains to prevent delays for passenger trains. In Blaine, the state is seeking money to provide new siding track to allow freight trains awaiting customs inspections to move out of the way of oncoming passenger trains. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(11) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (10)
- State Senate votes to toss I-960's tax-raising hurdle (9)
- Lynnwood sets height limit on grass: 8 inches (8)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- A new bowling alley for Monroe? (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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