U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) tonight voted for H.R. 3474, the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008. The bill passed the House of Representatives tonight by a vote of 268 to 153.
The bill provides more than $107 billion for transportation infrastructure investments which are critical to economic development and growth. The President has threatened to veto the legislation because House Democrats rejected several cuts to national infrastructure investments proposed by the Administration. Funding restored by Democrats included mass transit, Amtrak, and community development programs.
“Maintaining America’s aging highway and transportation systems is a vital component of our economic development. The President’s cuts would impede the movement of goods and services which ultimately increases the cost of doing business in the United States. I am pleased House Democrats restored these needed funds and voted to keep our economy going strong,” Smith said.
Also included in the bill were funds for projects in the Ninth District of Washington:
- $14.076 million for Pacific Highway South Bus Rapid Transit between Sound Transit's Light Rail Station at 154th Street (north of SeaTac Airport) and the Federal Way Transit Center (near SeaTac Mall). Once complete, travel time saved between the locations could be reduced between 12 and 15 minutes compared to current conditions. This project is one of only four projects nationwide for which the Federal Transit Administration recommended funding under the Very Small Starts program in its 2008 New Starts Report to Congress.
- $500,000 to provide additional on and off access from I-5 in Federal Way, WA at SR-161/S 356th Street, alleviating safety and congestion issues.
- $150,000 for the Bethel School District to provide a community center in unincorporated Pierce County that will support seniors, family and youth.
The bill must now be passed by the Senate and signed by the President before it can become law.