Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

"We all know that transportation infrastructure is one of the great challenges facing our state as we seek to remain competitive now and in the future. Transportation projects are also one of the quickest ways to create jobs. It's estimated that every $1 billion we spend on transportation construction creates 47,000 jobs."

-- Senator Patty Murray

Senator Murray is chairman of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. As the Chairman of this subcommittee, she has played an important role in working to secure the resources we need to help address transportation challenges all across Washington state. Senator Murray has helped obtain funding to support highway systems, improve airports, expand public transit across the state, and invest in transportation safety projects. Senator Murray has made transportation one of her highest priorities. She knows that transportation projects create jobs as well as build the efficient and enhanced infrastructure Washington needs for future economic growth.

* Senator Murray has worked to obtain federal funding for key infrastructure projects in Washington state. These include large projects like I-395 in Spokane to the Alaskan Way Viaduct and I-405 in the Puget Sound area. Murray has also championed projects important to economic development and public safety in smaller communities throughout the state including Walla Walla, Camas, Bellingham, Arlington and Union Gap.

* Senator Murray has been a longtime supporter of Link Light Rail in the Puget Sound region because she believes that Sound Transit will make a difference in protecting our environment and in improving our region's economy. She has fought for decades to make light rail in Puget Sound a reality. In 2004, when the White House considered eliminating the voter approved Sound Transit program, Senator Murray led the fight to convince them that light rail is critical to the region's transportation future. She ultimately provided $500 million in federal funding for the Link Light Rail Project, which began operation in July 2009.

* Senator Murray has also supported efforts to increase transportation efficiency and safety and to limit pollution. She has supported Amtrak, Link Light Rail, and other rail projects to give the people of Washington affordable alternatives to driving. She has also supported funding for public transit organizations to make public transportation more available and more affordable.

* Senator Murray has been called the "Ferry Godmother" by local media outlets as a result of the passage of her legislation to greatly increase federal spending on ferry transportation systems. This year, she helped secure an additional $7.6 million for Washington state's ferry docks and terminals after the U.S. Department of Transportation failed to provide adequate funding initially. Recently Senator Murray also introduced legislation which would significantly increase federal support for ferry systems around the nation and which would direct millions of dollars to ferries in Washington state, as Washington is home to the largest ferry system in the country.

* Senator Murray has led the effort to make U.S. highways and roadways safer including championing initiatives to combat drunk driving and promote seat belt usage. She has also supported increased safety measures on highways and interstates across the country and in Washington state, including Highway 12 and other state roads.

* Washington's airports from Sea-Tac to Spokane, from Bellingham to Vancouver, and from Bremerton to Wenatchee have all received significant financial support from Senator Murray's work. She has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration to modernize their Air Traffic Control system to improve safety, limit delays in flights, and allow more effective management of our air travel.

* Senator Murray supported the investment of $700 million in Washington state roads, shipyards and our ferry system in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects will help expand economic growth in Washington state, create jobs, and promote commerce activities.

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