Statement of Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff on Funding for Transit Expansions

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff issued the below statement following enactment of a final omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2018. The legislation provides funding for the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, the source for a critical $1.17 billion full funding grant agreement (FFGA) that is needed to keep Sound Transit on track with starting construction of the Lynnwood Link light rail extension. It provides roughly $2.6 billion for the CIG program, including roughly $400 million for projects like Lynnwood Link that are expecting to sign FFGAs this fiscal year. 

“The people of Snohomish and King counties have waited long enough for light rail service to Lynnwood. Today’s budget action in Washington, D.C. represents another critical step forward toward the goal of 28 minute rail service between Lynnwood and downtown Seattle. Our region’s commuters are fortunate for the tireless work of Sen. Patty Murray and our entire congressional delegation.

The legislation also directs the Administration to keep projects moving through the CIG pipeline and requires the Administration to obligate the CIG funding in a timely manner. Assuming the Administration administers these funds in the usual manner and disburses them to projects based on readiness, Lynnwood should compete very well for a sizeable portion of these funds. Under FTA's rigorous rating system Lynnwood has the highest rating of any project in the country. We have every reason to be optimistic that Lynnwood will be able to build on the $100 million allocation it received in FY 2017 and see an executed FFGA before the end of this fiscal year.

We thank Congress for its recognition of the national interest in a strong transit partnership with local communities. We will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to secure this critical agreement and funding and begin building Lynnwood Link.”