Larsen, DelBene request over $40M for projects in Snohomish County

EVERETT — More than $40 million from Congress could be headed to Snohomish County in 2025. That’s if Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen and Rep. Suzan DelBene get their way.

Last week, Larsen, of Everett, and DelBene, of Medina, made their annual funding requests for community projects in 2025. They prioritized traffic and transit infrastructure, including roundabouts, lane expansions and zero-emission buses.

Larsen and DelBene requested a combined $6.8 million for Community Transit’s expansion plans for the current Swift Green Line.

The Green Line currently runs from Seaway Transit Center in Everett to Canyon Park Park & Ride in Bothell. DelBene earmarked $3.8 million to design terminal facilities for an extension to the University of Washington’s Bothell campus.

By 2044, the agency hopes to operate around 300 zero-emission buses. To start, Larsen requested $3 million, enough for three battery-electric buses.

Currently, Community Transit has one hydrogen bus and one electric bus, which the agency plans to begin using later this year.

Larsen requested $1.8 million to help the Port of Edmonds revitalize a northern section of the portwalk before it is deemed unsafe. The port expects the entire project to cost $25 million.

The earmark would pay for demolition of the old administrative building and electrical upgrades.

“This request will fund Phase 2 of the project, which is a crucial step that will improve the public’s ability to use the Edmonds waterfront,” port commission President Jay Grant said in a press release Tuesday.

In south Everett, the intersection of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW could soon be replaced with a roundabout. Larsen asked for $5 million for the project.

Currently, a set of all-way stop signs control traffic at the busy intersection. At the southeast corner, the city plans to build a 2-acre park and stormwater facility.

But as plans for the park developed, neighbors expressed fears about safety in the intersection.

Mayor Cassie Franklin said the roundabout would improve traffic congestion and pedestrian safety, “which is crucial in such close proximity to transit, schools, affordable housing and the Paine Field airport.”

Nick Martin, a spokesperson for DelBene, said the timeline for Congress to make decisions on the money was unclear. The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1. In the past, DelBene’s office has received funding for every project submitted, though sometimes at different amounts, he said.

Here is the full list of Snohomish County projects that Larsen and DelBene requested money for:

• $5 million to design and construct a roundabout at 100th Street SW and Holly Drive in Everett.

• $5 million to build a new city campus and make infrastructure improvements near downtown Snohomish.

• $4.9 million to replace fluorescent lighting with LED lighting in Edmonds schools.

• $4 million for road improvements on Alderwood Mall Parkway.

• $3.8 million for Community Transit’s Green Line extension project.

• $3.75 million for the Latino Educational Training Center’s community center in south Everett.

• $3 million for Community Transit’s transition to zero-emission buses.

• $2.4 million to reinstate a public railway crossing at 156th Street NE in Marysville.

• $2.2 million to increase capacity at the Edmonds Food Bank.

• $2 million for the Snohomish Conservation District to construct a Natural Resources Center building for workforce training.

• $1.8 million to build a public plaza at the Port of Edmonds.

• $1.8 million to pave a pedestrian trail along Highway 531, connecting residential areas to the Cascade Industrial Center and the Arlington Municipal Airport.

• $1.4 million to expand health care access at EvergreenHealth in Monroe.

• $1.4 million to conduct a study to re-engineer railroad crossings in Monroe.

• $200,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study water infrastructure plans in Arlington and Snohomish.

Jenelle Baumbach: 360-352-8623; jenelle.baumbach@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jenelleclar.