Alaska Viaduct Funds Clear Congressional Hurdle
For Immediate Release - March 25, 2004

SEATTLE, WA & WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Jim McDermott announced today that his request for $12 million for the urgently needed Highway 99/Alaska Viaduct replacement project was included in the highway authorization bill reported out of committee last night.

"The Alaska Viaduct isn’t just a roadway. It’s the highway that will connect Seattle’s economic future. It’s must be safe, reliable, and replaced as soon as possible," McDermott said.

"Getting $12 million in new federal funding is a crucial next step in seeing to it that the federal government plays an active leadership role in funding the Viaduct replacement," McDermott added.

As part of his push for federal funding, McDermott succeeded in getting the Viaduct project declared a "High Priority Project" which makes the funding request much less susceptible to alteration as the process moves forward.

The federal money will be used to ensure the planning process continues as quickly as practical to find the best alternative for a new roadway.

"While extremely happy with what we were able to accomplish in committee, I won’t be satisfied until the Alaska Viaduct replacement project is a reality."

In addition, McDermott also obtained $2 million for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The money will be used to continue to retrofit old diesel school buses in King County.

The Highway Authorization Bill that contains the funds for these two projects may be voted on by the full House as early as next week. McDermott predicts passage. The Senate has its own separate highway bill and eventually, the House and Senate versions will have to be reconciled.

"That’s when having our projects officially listed as ‘high priority’ will be crucial," McDermott said.