Spokane, Wash., will receive more than $53 million in federal grant money to expand public transit, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced this month, thanks to a bipartisan and bicameral effort to secure more federal public transportation investments.
The grant will fund the completion of the Spokane Central City Line Bus Rapid Transit service, the first bus rapid transit route in Eastern Washington, the congresswoman’s office said earlier this month. The grant, which was awarded to the Spokane Transit Authority through a Federal Transit Administration grant program, will also fund the purchase of 10 new electric busses for the city.
“Not only will the full grant funding of the Central City Line help further connect Spokane with the surrounding areas and provide reliable public transportation services to the entire community, but it will also bring an estimated $175 million in economic impact here in Eastern Washington,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said.
The congresswoman has worked with U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to increase investments in the Capital Investment Grant program, which supports local public transportation projects, a statement from McMorris Rodgers office said. The lawmakers also supported the Spokane Transit Authority’s efforts to secure federal funding to build the Central City Line.
“This is a win for Spokane, and I was proud to work with Senators Murray and Cantwell to make it happen,” Rep. McMorris Rodgers said.