Last week, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, talked with local officials and transportation stakeholders through Northwest Washington to learn more about the role federal funding plays in supporting strong infrastructure. He also toured local transportation projects that depend on federal funding.

The Highway Trust Fund is the biggest source of federal funding for roads, bridges, highways and transit systems. The Fund is set to expire on July 31 unless Congress acts to pass a new transportation bill. Larsen released a report, “Keeping Our Economy Moving: Northwest Washington’s Transportation Needs,” that explains why transportation infrastructure is so important to Washington state’s economy, why Congress must act, and what he is doing to support a long-term transportation solution.

Read more about Larsen’s work on transportation in the local news coverage below.

Everett Herald: Snohomish County is eager for federal transportation dollars

Larsen’s main goal was to draw attention to the July 31 deadline for Congress to extend the Highway Trust Fund, the largest source of federal dollars for transportation projects. … “The patchwork approach doesn’t work,” Larsen said. “It’ll end up slamming the brakes on the economy.”

Everett Herald Editorial Board: How to get where we’re going on transportation

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is in Snohomish County this week to visit Marysville, Lynnwood and Everett to discuss the Grow America Act that he co-sponsored in the House.  

Everett Herald Op-Ed: State’s economy depends on federal transportation bill

By Rep. Rick Larsen

…But on July 31, the biggest source of federal funding for roads, bridges, highways and transit — the Highway Trust Fund — will expire. If Congress fails to act, the consequences for Northwest Washington residents and businesses are real. Washington state's ferry system will receive less investment, contributing to delays. Community Transit's Swift II bus line progress will be hampered. And needed upgrades to I-5 that would improve traffic congestion, like a new interchange in Marysville, will be held up.

Without a long-term transportation bill that provides predictable investments for our nation's roads, bridges, highways and transit systems, we are slamming the brakes on our economy and jobs.

The Arlington Times: Short tunnel under the tracks on Grove a possibility

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen of Arlington has introduced a bill that could pave the way to tunnel under the railroad tracks on Grove Street. … “Local officials have told me that improving at-grade crossings is critical for safety and traffic flow. Rail incidents are most likely to happen at these crossings, and they can lead to traffic congestion that delays people on their way to work, goods on their way to market, and public safety vehicles on their way to save lives. As our rail lines carry more goods, including crude oil, I am working to improve community safety,” Larsen said.

Skagit Valley Herald: Larsen, county leaders talk transportation

The county commissioners and other transportation authorities detailed the shortcomings of the infrastructure county residents use every day, and looked to Larsen for an update on how the federal government can help. … “All of this is great information for me to know so that we can fulfill the nation’s transportation needs in the best way possible,” Larsen said. “We can’t have a successful economy without investing in infrastructure.”

Bellingham Herald: State funds five major road projects in Whatcom County

Larsen was in Bellingham on Thursday, July 2, to talk about federal transportation funds. … For Bellingham and Whatcom Transportation Authority, federal funds are a bigger slice of the revenue pie than state funds. Transportation officials made sure Larsen knew what their needs were. One bill introduced by Larsen, the At-Grade Crossing Enhancement Act, could help Bellingham pay for an expensive rerouting of the rail line near Cornwall Avenue and a bridge that would take three railroad crossings off street level.

South Whidbey Record: Congressman Larsen visits Coupeville to address transportation plans

Roads, bridges, highways, ferries — all are essential for the economic health of the state and Island County, and Congress needs to pass a long-term bill to pay for critical infrastructure, Congressman Rick Larsen told county officials this week. … “Without that predictable investment we are in danger of slamming the brakes on our economy,” Larsen said.