Sen. Patty Murray announced Oct. 26, the award of $15 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funding to the city of Tacoma for the expansion of Tacoma Link.
“This is the kind of investment that can transform neighborhoods and help local economies grow and create jobs,” Murray said. “As Tacoma continues to grow, it’s critical that all citizens — including students, workers, and families — have access to safe, reliable transit. I’m proud to keep fighting for the federal TIGER grant program because it continually reinvests in our communities, brings our transit systems into the 21st century, and helps our economy grow from the middle out, not the top down.”
“This is a great day for Tacoma,” said Representative Kilmer. “The continued expansion of light rail will better connect all corners of the city, help locals and visitors get around, and make Tacoma an even more vibrant place. Doubling the line will also help us attract new businesses and opportunities for growth throughout the city. Today, the federal government has teamed up with partners on the local level who have a clear vision of how to improve our region’s mass transit system and keep Tacoma – and its citizens – moving forward.”
“This $15 million TIGER grant follows the $75 million investment President Obama made in his budget, putting the city of Tacoma much closer to the $165 million total cost of the Link expansion,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “With the unwavering support of Senator Patty Murray, we made a compelling case for the local and regional impact of this project. We are excited that the federal government is investing locally in light rail to keep our residents, neighborhoods and economy moving forward.”
The $15 million TIGER grant brings the city of Tacoma another step closer to securing its portion of funding for the project. To date, the city has secured $33 million in federal and state grants toward the expansion, and has committed to identifying an additional $7 million, which would complete its $40 million contribution to the project.
In 2008, voters approved a funding partnership to expand Tacoma Link. In addition to Sound Transit 2 tax revenues and city of Tacoma contributions, the Obama Administration has included $75 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts funding in its FY 2016 budget proposal to Congress.
In 2014, the Sound Transit Board of Directors, in cooperation with the city of Tacoma, Pierce Transit and community members, identified a preferred alignment for the expansion. The alignment would expand Tacoma Link 2.4 miles from the Theater District to the Stadium and Hilltop districts and includes one relocated and six new proposed stations.
The project is currently at 30 percent design. The Sound Transit Board is scheduled to select the final alignment and station locations for the project, and be briefed on preliminary cost estimates, in November. Following the board’s decision on the alignment and station locations, the project will move into the final design phase. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2018.
The existing 1.6-mile light rail line currently serves six stations between the Theater District and the Tacoma Dome. Trains run every 12 minutes and provide nearly a million rides per year.
