Gov. Gregoire welcomes U.S. Transportation secretary to Washington

For Immediate Release: July 6, 2009

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire and U.S. Sen. Patty Murray today welcomed U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Washington to discuss transportation issues, including the state�s progress on federal stimulus projects and their contribution to economic recovery.

�I am proud of the way Washington state has used its federal recovery money to create hundreds of jobs while improving safety on our roads. This is our chance to demonstrate to the Obama administration our successful efforts to put these American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to work,� Gregoire said. �Secretary LaHood will have many examples of the real benefits made possible by federal funding to take back to the other Washington.�

�The Obama Administration understands that it�s vitally important to invest in America�s cities to keep them vibrant and economically healthy. That�s why, working together with your Washington state leaders, we're putting millions of Recovery Act dollars to work on 21st century projects that will make communities cleaner and more energy-efficient, while creating good-paying jobs and rebuilding our critical transportation infrastructure,� said LaHood. �I commend citizens and their state leaders for developing a strategic vision for public transportation that, with the help of Recovery Act funds now, will provide a solid foundation for long-term economic growth in Washington.�

�Investing in our transportation infrastructure is one of the best ways to put people back to work today and literally pave the way for more jobs long-term. And Washington state has done a great job of putting federal stimulus dollars to work,� Murray said. �I'm glad to have Secretary LaHood out to see some of our projects and learn first-hand about the longterm transportation needs of our state and region. I look forward to partnering with him and our state leaders to make federal investments work for Washington's families and businesses.�

LaHood began his visit to Washington in Seattle, where he was briefed by Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond on the delivery of nearly $500 million in federal funds for highway construction projects.

Gregoire and LaHood will also participate with U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks in the opening celebration of the $54 million state Route 304 Bremerton Tunnel project that diverts ferry traffic from Bremerton�s downtown streets and improves pedestrian safety.

�We�re very grateful the Obama administration is continuing a long tradition of putting people to work in Washington by building out our transportation network and helping secure our economic future,� said state Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. �And I can�t tell you how invaluable it is to have the opportunity to showcase our needs and successes to Secretary LaHood directly. I very much look forward to continuing our productive relationship in the future.�

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who serves as the chairman of the Sound Transit board, spoke with LaHood about the Sound Transit light rail service to be launched later this month.

Hammond also discussed the SR 520 corridor program, Washington�s highly successful, high-speed rail corridor and Amtrak Cascades service and the Washington State ferries system.