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Surge of federal funding targets 'alarming trend' on Washington state roads

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Jimmy Woo / Unsplash

Washington's roadways are the target of fresh federal funding, following a rise in unsafe driving and traffic fatalities in the state.

“There were 745 fatalities on roads in the state of Washington in 2022, the most in more than 30 years,” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell said in a statement. “We must reverse this alarming trend."

Sen. Cantwell is chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. One of her recent efforts has been a federal grant program called "Safe Streets for All." The program aims to address a recent increase in traffic fatalities in Washington state. The result is nearly $9.2 million in grants for Washington communities from the Department of Transportation.

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"I created the Safe Streets for All grant program which will provide 16 Washington cities and counties with this timely federal funding to improve transportation safety planning and build infrastructure that will save lives," Cantwell said.

The 16 Washington cities, counties, councils, and other agencies include:

  • City of Ellensburg: $160,000
  • City of Lacey: $68,000
  • City of Montesano: $200,000
  • City of Toppenish: $80,000
  • Grant County: $280,000
  • King County: $800,000
  • Kittitas County: $429,504
  • Thurston County: $264,000
  • Walla Walla County: $201,696
  • Whatcom Council of Governments: $200,000
  • Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments: $200,000
  • Island Regional Planning Organization: $403,200
  • Northeast Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization: $352,000
  • Puget Sound Regional Council: $4,860,363
  • Spokane Regional Transportation Council: $400,000
  • Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council: $300,000

The grant funds are part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Cantwell's office says is funneling $7.6 billion into Washington state for transportation investments. So far, it has funded about 500 transportation projects in the state.

Seattle gets $25.7 million

Safe Streets for All is also delivering $25,654,000 to the city of Seattle, which is specifically targeted at the city's SoDo neighborhood. The aim is to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists in SoDo.

Cantwell said the money "will help improve 117 intersections where 60% of the fatal and serious pedestrian collisions occur, create 1.4 miles of new sidewalks, and four miles of protected bike lanes" in SoDo.

Cantwell's office adds that southeast SoDo will get special attention as most traffic incidents occur there.

SEATTLE NOW: A look at one of Seattle's worst intersections

The grant money for Seattle will go toward four miles of protected bike lanes and 4.5 miles of "arterial calming treatments," which means tactics such as narrowing roadways and adding speed bumps. Also, 117 intersections will get new pavement markings and signage.

“This ‘Safe Streets’ grant means we will accelerate efforts to improve and innovate our sidewalks and streets, especially in underserved and disproportionately impacted communities," Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement. "From calming traffic on high-crash streets to helping families safely walk and bike to school, we must do everything we can to reverse the heartbreaking trend of people being injured on our streets. We're grateful for this partnership and the significant resources that will go toward keeping people safe.”

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