Federal officials to announce budget recommendation for central Link light rail project

Vice President Al Gore and Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater will be announcing the Clinton administration's recommendation for federal funding for next year for Sound Transit's central Link light rail system in a conference call to Sound Transit board leaders tomorrow. Board chair Dave Earling, an Edmonds City Councilmember, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell, King County Executive Ron Sims and Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel will take a break during a board workshop to participate in the conversation:

12:30 p.m., Friday Feb. 4

San Juan/Whidbey rooms
Cavanaugh's Inn on 5th Avenue
1415 Fifth Ave.
Seattle

Members of Washington state's congressional delegation will also participate in the conference call.

Sound Transit is competing with several other rail transit programs in the nation for crucial federal funding for its 24-mile light rail line connecting Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac. A solid budget recommendation from the administration will set the stage for efforts to win congressional approval. Last year the Federal Transit Administration gave the central Link light rail program a rating of "highly recommended" and characterized it as "one of the most promising light rail projects in the country." The project is entering the final design stage, with construction scheduled to begin next year.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.