Gov. Gregoire announces federal recovery funds for Poulsbo road project

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2009

POULSBO � Gov. Chris Gregoire, Congressman Jay Inslee, Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade, state Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, and Kitsap Home Builders Association President Art Castle today announced the award of federal funding for the North Viking Avenue Improvements project.

Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $3.8 million project will make this the largest ARRA-funded project in the Olympic Peninsula and the fourth largest ARRA-funded municipal project in the state.

�Like so many other areas in Washington, the recession has hit Poulsbo hard. These funds will improve access to an economically distressed part of the city and put people to work,� Gregoire said.

Poulsbo�s project includes construction of sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian connections to existing trails and a new center turn lane. An estimated 45 short-term and 120 permanent jobs will be created as a result.

Sustainable design will be incorporated into nearly every aspect of the project. The proximity of Viking Avenue to Dogfish Creek, a salmon stream and wetlands inspired the use of low impact development techniques to control and treat storm water runoff. Asphalt removed during construction will be recycled and reused as new paving material. More than17,000 square feet of distributed wetland buffer will be enhanced with native vegetation to provide better habitat and wetland protection.

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Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states� recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.