Press Releases

MEDINA – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today toured the new SR 520 Bridge project to get an update on progress and traffic issues affecting the Seattle-area.

“I’m pleased to see progress being made on this vital project. Too many of our nation’s roads and bridges are in dire need of overdue repair and maintenance,” DelBene said. “Congress needs to prioritize spending to fix our crumbling infrastructure now, before it becomes even more expensive to maintain in the future. I will continue to fight for long-term transportation solutions that allow us to get the best return on our investments because without viable transportation infrastructure, our manufactured goods and locally-grown fruits and vegetables won't be able to reach consumers across the country and throughout the world.”

Earlier in the week, DelBene voted for a two-month stop-gap measure so that the Highway Trust Fund would not run out of money ahead of the busy road and bridge construction season. If the bill had not passed, Washington State Department of Transportation estimated it would not have received a $96 million payment from the Federal Highway Administration.

The Highway Trust Fund, which receives most of its funding through fuel taxes, was set to run out of funds at the end of May but is now funded through July 31. On Tuesday, the House voted to fund the Highway Trust Fund for only two months, preventing the halt of nearly 6,000 construction projects and preserving the 660,000 construction jobs that rely on the fund. DelBene prefers a long-term solution that would provide economic certainty for states and municipalities investing in infrastructure, but Republicans have not yet allowed such a proposal to move forward.

When completed, the new SR 520 Bridge will include a bicycle and walking path, as well as the ability to accommodate future light rail to help reduce road congestion.

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