"I was present at the opening of the Tacoma Dome Station last October, and I can tell you first hand that this subcommittee's continual commitment to this project is doing great things for the Puget Sound region," said Smith in his testimony. "I urge the subcommittee to honor Pierce Transit's request in its entirely."

Congressman Norm Dicks, Tacoma Mayor Brian Ebersole and RTA Chairman, Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel, also testified in support of the project.

The funding request of $7 million officially comes from Pierce Transit for Phase 2 of the Tacoma Dome station. Phase 1 was completed on October 25, 1997 and included a 1,200 stall Park and Ride facility to support the popular bus service between Tacoma and Seattle.

"Phase 2 of the Tacoma Dome station project will bring the Tacoma Dome Station into the 21st Century and provide quality mass transit services for the people of the Puget Sound region," said Smith. Phase 2 will provide an additional 1,000 parking spaces, allow for the purchase of more buses, provide intermodal connections to include commuter rail and light rail, and provide passenger amenities.

"Full construction of the Tacoma Dome Station is a key part of the Regional Transit Authority that the voters approved in 1996," explained Smith. "The Tacoma Dome station will be one of the primary stops for both the 81-mile commuter rail system and a 2-mile light rail link to downtown Tacoma."

Smith says that investing in infrastructure is one of his top priorities. "The Puget Sound region has some of the worst traffic in the nation," he said. "High-quality transportation infrastructure is necessary for a healthy economy, a clean environment, and citizens' peace of mind."