About $4.85 million in funding for transportation and community development projects in Clark County and Southwest Washington was included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill by Washington Senator Patty Murray. The bill passed the full Appropriations Committee and moved to the full Senate for consideration.
Among the projects funded in the bill is the Port of Vancouver’s West Freight Access project. The bill includes $2 million for the project that will change the main rail line into the port so that it no longer runs directly across the BNSF railway mainline. This will result in a 40 percent reduction in rail traffic delays. It will allow the port to receive large inbound trains directly into the port and will provide an area where Unit Trains can be staged, inspected, prepared and built ready for departure. The funds will add capacity for current industrial tenants and marine customers and prepare for the growth of rail cars entering the port.
Funding of $1 million will support efforts by Clark County to build a new Interstate 5 interchange at Northeast 139th and make other road improvements throughout the Northeast 134th Street/I-5/Interstate 205 corridor in the northern urban area of Clark County. This project will alleviate congestion and improve safety.
Funding of $700,000 will help C-Tran replace current buses with 40-foot coaches that include hybrid power.
Funding of $400,000 was included for a Battle Ground Community Center that will serve as a recreation and educational programming space. Construction of the center is meant to catalyze Battle Ground’s downtown core.
Funding of $500,000 was included for Phoenix House, a new three story building that will provide service enriched housing for homeless women with substance abuse problems who have children and/or are pregnant.
