Jayapal Helps Secure $2 Million for Planning of Project to Construct Lid over Interstate 5 in Downtown Seattle
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced $2,000,000 in federal funding for the City of Seattle to continue their research and planning of a project to construct a lid over Interstate 5 (I-5) in downtown Seattle. These funds come from the Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Community Planning Grant program, which focuses on retrofitting or mitigating highways in underserved communities to improve community connectivity and economic development.
“Highways that run through major urban areas can reduce green spaces, stifle economic growth, and cut-off entire communities from neighbors and business,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “This funding will allow the City of Seattle to continue planning and conducting community outreach on the I-5 lid project, which would transform our city’s downtown area and increase connectivity between different neighborhoods, businesses, and our local economy. It would also lead to more opportunities for affordable housing, new jobs, and environmental improvements to an area that has been negatively impacted by I-5 for decades. I was proud to support this funding and look forward to seeing this important project continue to move forward to reduce pollution, make our streets safer, and drive economic opportunity.”
The funding will go toward helping the City of Seattle plan and conduct technical studies and community outreach for the proposed I-5 lid project, which aims to support the growing urban population. This will help city leadership get necessary feedback and input from residents on how the project can best serve the city and ensure that equitable and healthy community-driven improvements are made.
Jayapal wrote a letter of support for this funding request in 2023. Also in 2023, Jayapal helped secure $600 million to replace the I-5 bridge that connects Washington and Oregon.