Statement of Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff on advancement of funding for transit investments

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would provide $2.6 billion in FY 2019 for the Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, the program source of an anticipated $1.17 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for the Sound Transit Lynnwood Link light rail extension. The FY 2019 transportation appropriations spending bill includes $500 million for projects like Lynnwood Link that are expecting to sign FFGAs this fiscal year. 

"The House Committee's action yesterday is a very positive step toward securing federal funding for projects like the Lynnwood Link Extension, which will bring long-awaited light rail service to the people of Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. Yesterday's action in Washington, D.C. represents important progress for projects like Lynnwood Link and Federal Way Link that will provide commuters a fast and convenient option for bypassing ever-worsening highway congestion on I-5. We are grateful for the diligent work of our entire congressional delegation, particularly Congressman Derek Kilmer, who serves on the House Committee, and Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart and David Price, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee.
 
Their legislation also directs the Administration to keep projects moving through the CIG pipeline. Assuming the Administration administers these funds in the usual manner and disburses them to projects based on readiness, Lynnwood Link should compete very well for a sizeable portion of these funds. Both Lynnwood and Federal Way Link light rail extensions have already received the highest ratings under the FTA's rigorous rating system. We have every reason to be optimistic that Lynnwood Link will build on the funding already provided under the CIG program in the FY 2018 appropriations bill, and the $100 million allocated to the project in FY 2017. With these dollars on the way, we are hopeful of executing an FFGA before the end of this fiscal year. The Federal Way project is coming in right behind Lynnwood in the CIG pipeline; we expect to secure a grant for that project in FY 2019.  

We thank Congress for its bipartisan efforts to support investments in our nation's infrastructure. We will continue working closely with our federal partners to secure the agreements and funding for expanding regional light rail service north to Lynnwood and south to Federal Way."