Press Releases

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) hosted a press conference with Mount Vernon Mayor Jill Boudreau, Burlington Mayor Steve Sexton, and WSDOT Deputy Secretary Amy Scarton at the Trooper Sean M. O’Connell Jr. Memorial Bridge (I-5/Skagit River Bridge) to highlight the historic investments in Washington bridges through the bipartisan infrastructure law. There are 416 bridges currently in poor condition throughout Washington state. DelBene and Larsen were key players in delivering the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to President Biden, who signed it into law on November 15, 2021.

The bipartisan infrastructure law will invest at least $121 million for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and at least $605 million over the next five years in formula funding to help repair and revitalize bridges across the state. The infrastructure law is the single largest dedicated investment in bridges since the construction of the interstate highway system.

“Bridges connect us to our jobs and schools, move commerce, and link our communities,” said DelBene. “This funding will help us build the infrastructure to carry us through the next 50 years and beyond. The passage of this historic legislation shows the impact of good governance and how it delivers for our communities.”  

“You cannot have a big-league economy with little league infrastructure. Thanks to long-term funding in the bipartisan infrastructure law, Washington can invest in repairs to bridges residents rely on like the Trooper Sean M. O’Connell Jr. Memorial Bridge, which creates jobs, improves safety, and keeps people and the economy on the move,” said Larsen.

The infrastructure law also includes a separate program designed to support larger bridges through a competitive grant program. Details on that program will be announced at a later date by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Washington State Legislature will decide how the funds will be allocated.

More information on the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Formula Program funding to states can be found here.

Read more about the work that DelBene has done to secure funding for WA-01 bridges here.