OLYMPIA – In a year full of tough negotiations and an extended session, passing a supplemental transportation budget with funding for the Spokane Central City Line was Rep. Marcus Riccelli’s (D-Spokane) top transportation priority. Last year’s transportation package included $15 million for the Central City Line, but without a specific timetable. Because of Riccelli’s work in this year’s supplemental transportation budget, that funding now includes $3 million now with $12 million to follow.
“The Spokane region is growing faster than our roads can keep up. Having a reliable way to get to work, school, and our local businesses is going to move Spokane forward and improve our economy,” said Riccelli. “This will be eastern Washington’s first corridor-based bus rapid transit project and is instrumental to building a better Spokane.”
In addition to the updated timeline for state funding, a Regional Mobility Grant of $2.2 million has been awarded to help Spokane Transit Project Development for Central City Line. The grant will fund preliminary engineering, environmental assessment, and future station citing. Funding also helps improve opportunity to secure federal funding for further development.
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