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Congressman Adam Smith Announces Funding Request for the Bethel Community Center

April 15, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that he is requesting funding for a new community center in Bethel.

“Our military families are under enormous duress, and for those families living near McChord and Fort Lewis, the problem is worsened due to the fact that there are no city services,” said Smith. “The Bethel Community Center would provide services such as continuing education, job training, technology access, and a senior center, to military families and all Bethel residents.”

This project would provide a cost effective means to badly needed services for a large rural/suburban area (2,045 square miles with 93,000 residents) that has no city government, nor city services. This area, immediately adjacent to Ft. Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base, is characterized as low income, a large military population, rapid growth and very limited social/health/human services. The project would maximize funding through multiple uses of this facility to provide the following functions: a community center; teen center; senior center; community technology access center; continuing education center; job training center; water safety instruction; physical (hydro) therapy and a center for Native American cultural contributions.

Smith requested funding through the 2005 Labor, Health and Human Service, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It is expected that this bill will be finalized before Congress adjourns this year.

 

Congressman Adam Smith Announces Funding Request for State Route 167

April 14, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that he has requested funding to improve State Route 167.

“State Route 167 is one of the most congested roads in the Puget Sound region, resulting in serious traffic delays for individuals and businesses,” Smith said. “It’s critically important to the economic growth of South King and Pierce counties that we improve this route.”

The requested funds will be used to accelerate the project by advancing design during the EIS on elements that are common to all alternatives. Improvements on SR 167 will provide significant travel-time savings for commuters and freight haulers in the corridor.  Currently SR 167 experiences six hours of congestion a day.  Without improvements, this could double by 2030.  SR 167 is a major freight corridor to the largest freight distribution center in the region providing a connection between the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.  The corridor also has significant number of large manufacturing employers, including Boeing.

This new east-west link would parallel I-405 and improve access to one of the state's largest warehouse districts.  East-west links are infrequent, which forces trucks to take circuitous, time-consuming routes.  The increased travel efficiency this route provides reduces freight costs and brings goods to market sooner.

Smith requested funding through the 2005 Transportation, Treasury and Independent Organizations Appropriations bill. It is expected that this bill will be finalized before Congress adjourns this year.
 

Congressman Adam Smith Announces Funding Request for Fast Corridor and Pierce Transit Bus Purchase

April 14, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that he is requesting funding for Fast Corridor and funds to purchase Pierce Transit additional buses.

Smith has been a strong supporter of the Fast Corridor projects since coming to Congress in 1997.

“Improving rail-street intersections will help alleviate traffic congestion throughout the Puget Sound region,” Smith said. “The Spokane Street viaduct improvement in Seattle and the Lincoln Avenue project in Tacoma are two important steps in the project.”

The FAST Corridor Program supports an ongoing partnership effort (1996 to present) between WSDOT, the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, the Puget Sound Regional Council, a number of local jurisdictions, and two Class I private railroads. The first project, the Spokane Street viaduct improvement, is in the City of Seattle.  The second project, the Lincoln Avenue grade separation project is in Pierce County. The FAST partners propose $4.4M in funding for the Spokane Street Viaduct improvement project, which will fund final design and construction.  The FAST partners propose $5.2M in funding for the Lincoln Avenue grade separation project.  This amount will fund final construction for the project.

In a few years, Pierce Transit and Sound Transit will be constrained in providing additional bus service. Pierce Transit and Sound Transit have formed a partnership to provide regional transit service and are working cooperatively to fund this base expansion project. When the phased construction is completed, Pierce Transit will have the basic base infrastructure in place to meet Pierce County and regional transit service needs well into the future.

All environmental work has been completed and Pierce Transit is ready to proceed on final design for the East Base in 2005. Pierce Transit and Sound Transit are providing a substantial amount of local funds to this project and these funds will support the federal commitment to this project. Pierce Transit has already purchased the site for the expansion base with local funds. Additionally, Pierce Transit is ready to go to bid for the CNG buses.

Additionally, Pierce Transit is planning the purchase of 20 expansion buses over the next several years to accommodate planned service expansion. Eight are currently funded with FTA formula funds. This request would assist in funding the next expansion bus purchase.

Smith requested funding through the 2005 Transportation, Treasury and Independent Organizations Appropriations bill. It is expected that this bill will be finalized before Congress adjourns this year.

Congressman Adam Smith Announces Funding Request for Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative

April 14, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that he is requesting funding for Washington State’s Methamphetamine Initiative.

“The federal funds provided to the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative in the past have enabled the program to have an immediate impact on our state’s fight against meth,” said Smith. “Additional funds will help us in our fight to treat addicts and fight the downward spiral of methamphetamine addictions.”

This program was funded at $3 million in fiscal year 2003 and at $2 million in fiscal year 2004 under the Methamphetamine Enforcement and Clean-up account. Washington state has spent $56 million this year addressing meth offenders, treating addicts, and dealing with the after effects of methamphetamine use and production.

Almost every county in Washington has developed a meth action team, collaboratively developing and implementing local community-based strategies. Last year, representatives from local action teams attended regional training sessions on prevention strategies, youth development, and ways to deal with contaminated properties.

Our request for FY 2004 enabled the Initiative to reach additional affected regions in the state. This $4 million trained and equipped additional law enforcement personnel and increased regional response capabilities and enabled them to perform proactive investigations statewide. It also allowed for an expanded implementation of the meth strategy to additional counties and tribal jurisdictions.

Smith requested funding through the 2005 Commerce, Justice, State, Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It is expected that this bill will be finalized before Congress adjourns this year.

 

Congressman Adam Smith Announces Funding Request for the King County New Futures Children and Family Advocacy Program

April 14, 2004

Congressman Adam Smith (D-Tacoma) announced today that he is requesting funding for the New Futures Children and Family Advocacy Program in King County.

“The New Futures Children and Family Advocacy Program is a public-private partnership with a record of success,” said Smith. “Investments in our children, such as after-school programs and early childhood education, are important to the success of our community.”

New Futures serves King County, Washington’s poorest, most isolated children with child and family centers in three of the region’s toughest neighborhoods. The heart of their work is children and family programs with after-school programs serving children who are at the greatest risk of failing in school. Pre-K programs offer children and family literacy and parenting skills, and youth programs provide a supportive environment where teens develop a positive support network with peers, and build relationships with adults.  The program is funded in part by the Cities of Burien and SeaTac, King County, and The State of Washington Readiness-to-Learn funds. Private funding partners include the Bill & Melinda Gates, Paul G. Allen, Medina, Marguerite Casey, Barry and Ginger Ackerley and Stuart foundations.

Smith requested funding through the 2005 Labor, Health and Human Service, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It is expected that this bill will be finalized before Congress adjourns this year.

 

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