Arlington has ponied up extra cash for a new 172nd Street NE bridge, and now it wants Marysville to do the same.
Both cities consider a wider bridge over I-5 a must, saying plans for new retail development in Smokey Point already have been restricted by poor access the current bridge offers.
Folks behind the grassroots effort to get funding for a new $9 million bridge have been scrambling since they found out last month the lowest bid was $2 million more than expected.
That gap has been whittled to $375,000, in part because Arlington has agreed to increase its contribution from $230,000 to $700,000. The rest is coming from state and federal sources.
“If we’re going to put $700,000 in for our side of the freeway, wouldn’t it be kind of nice if Marysville would chip in $400,000 for their side of the freeway?” asked Sally Lien, an Arlington city councilwoman.
Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall said his council will make a decision on whether to increase its contribution next week. “We think it’s something that’s got to get going, and it’s got to get going now.”
Kendall said Marysville is short on cash, but would take a look at reserves. The city also plans to find out if it can agree to pay the $400,000, but defer payment until next year.
Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said she’s optimistic Marysville will pitch in.
“I hope Marysville can step up to the plate on this,” she said. “This is a partnership. I’m sure they’ll do what’s right.”
In the meantime, deadlines are approaching.
The contractor needs a decision by July 30, and a pitch for more money from the state goes before the Transportation Improvement Board on July 22, so Marysville has to act quickly, said Paul Richart, Arlington’s city engineer.
The state has agreed to contribute $3 million, and Arlington is going to ask for another $700,000.
By asking the state for more, “… we are officially saying we will find a way to put political pressure on Marysville,” Richart told the Arlington City Council on Tuesday. The council voted 6-0 to direct Richart to apply for more state money.
The state Department of Transportation also increased its contribution from $614,000 to $1.2 million.
If final funding comes together, construction will start this summer.
The project would replace the two-lane 172nd Street NE bridge with one that is six lanes. Later, when more funding becomes available, a new cloverleaf ramp would be built, intersections would be widened and a park-and-ride would be built.
Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@ heraldnet.com.
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