Jayapal Helps Secure $11.2 Million Grant for West Seattle Bridge
Follows months of fighting for federal funding to help repair the bridge
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced today that she has helped to secure more than $11.2 million in federal funding for the West Seattle Bridge. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the substantial Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant following months of continued advocacy by the Congresswoman on behalf of the community.
“As a West Seattle resident, I know how important it is to our neighbors, businesses, city, port, and regional economy that we quickly and safely repair the West Seattle Bridge,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “I am proud to have fought to secure this robust $11.2 million INFRA Grant that urgently sends our community critical federal resources to make these necessary repairs possible. I appreciate Secretary Buttigieg’s willingness to partner closely with me as we continue working to make improvements to Seattle’s roads, bridges, transit systems, and waterways.”
Today’s grant announcement follows months of sustained advocacy by Representative Jayapal as she worked to secure federal funding. She regularly met with Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other administrative officials in addition to Washington’s two U.S. senators, the state’s delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mayor Durkan, the City of Seattle, the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force, local businesses, and individuals who have been impacted by the closure of the bridge.
Earlier this month, Representative Jayapal announced that she had successfully secured $20 million in funding for five other Seattle-area transportation and infrastructure projects as part of the INVEST in America Act, legislation that is now set to move through the House of Representatives. The funding will be split between Sound Transit’s West Seattle and Ballard Link Extension, SDOT’s East Marginal Way Corridor Improvements — Phase 1, WSDOT’s Seattle Ferry Terminal Shoreside Electrification, Lake Forest Park’s Culvert Replacement Project, and WSDOT’s I-5/Lake Washington Ship Canal Bridge Deck Overlay.
In April, Congresswoman Jayapal continued fighting for western Washington’s transportation and infrastructure needs by submitting 10 regional priorities to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The projects span the state’s Seventh Congressional District. She also testified in front of the powerful Committee later that month where she championed key infrastructure priorities and specifically urged the Committee to invest in increased bridge funding while advocating on behalf of the West Seattle Bridge.
Since coming to Congress in 2017, Representative Jayapal has fought for more infrastructure funding so we can repair our community’s roads, transportation systems, bridges, and culverts. Last year, she was proud to help pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, which included $28 billion in investments for bridges. As the House of Representatives considered the legislation, Congresswoman Jayapal successfully called for a significant increase to funding for bridges — with the final version nearly doubling the funding available for the BUILD Grant program. The full Moving Forward Act that passed the House authorized more than $494 billion for highways and bridges, public transit agencies, freight and passenger rail, and vehicular safety.
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