Funding for I-90 project and study included in federal transportation bill


November 24, 2008 · Updated 4:44 PM 

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Washington's 8th District, which includes Mercer Island, will receive $37.5 million of the $286.4 billion Transportation Equity Act bill passed by Congress Friday.

Sound Transit's Interstate 90 Long Range Plan corridor study will receive $1.5 million, according to Rep. Dave Reichert's office.

The I-90 study will look at the options for mass transit between Seattle and the Eastside, and allow for the required environmental review processes necessary to advance the project.

The bill also funds 19 high priority projects in King and Pierce counties and provides for $3.2 million to the state Department of Transportation for two-way HOV operations on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue.

``This money will not only improve traffic and streamline transportation systems; it will create jobs and stimulate the economy,'' Reichert, R-8th District, said. ``For every $1 billion spent on road construction, 47,500 jobs are created.''

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