Press Releases

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement: 

“This funding is fantastic news for Northwest Washington ports,” said Rep. Larsen. “The Port of Everett and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community will put these dollars to good use constructing and modernizing piers for commercial fishing and cargo operations. These ports are cornerstones of the local economy and these funds will allow them to expand their regional and global reach. I am glad to have been able to play a role in advocating for these funds, and I will keep working to bring home federal dollars to upgrade port infrastructure and create jobs in Northwest Washington.”  

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced today that two projects in the Second District will receive grants under the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Maritime Administration (MARAD) administers PIDP grants to projects that improve the safety, efficiency or reliability of moving goods in and out of ports.  

The Port of Everett was awarded $11.25 million to support the modernization of Pier 3 to include selective demolition, pile installation, resurfacing, filling and paving surfaces and procurement and installation. Pier 3 was constructed in 1973 and is the Port of Everett’s largest pier. This project will repair damage from chemical deterioration and replace aging infrastructure. The upgrades will also diversify the cargo that can be handled at Pier 3 and improve the safety of this valuable part of supply chain infrastructure for maritime users and port operations. 

“The Port Infrastructure Development Program is crucial to help public ports make critical investments in the region’s economy,” said Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber. “This investment in our international terminal will strengthen infrastructure, creating and preserving jobs here and throughout Snohomish County. The Port of Everett is grateful for the investment by the U.S. Department of Transportation and for Congressman Larsen’s support of an infrastructure project that will help strengthen the economy of Washington state.”  

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community was awarded $10.8 million for the construction of a new commercial pier, covered storage, renovation of three moorage piers and the design of a new fish processing plant. Currently, the Port of Swinomish lacks a location to consolidate their fishing fleet and store fishing equipment. The project previously received an $11 million PIDP grant in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) for the first phase of this project to design and develop port facilities. This new PIDP award will go towards the construction of the facilities in the second phase of the Port of Swinomish project. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Larsen for supporting this grant,” said Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Steve Edwards. “The commercial dock funded by this award allows us to continue to exercise our treaty fishing rights and is an important next step in the development of the Port of Swinomish.”  

Larsen Brings Home Millions for Northwest Washington Infrastructure Projects  

Larsen has been a steadfast advocate for federal funding to support Northwest Washington’s port infrastructure. In 2024, he celebrated the release of $18.3 million in PIDP grants for projects in the Second District funded by the BIL. Those grants included awarding the Port of Anacortes a $7.4 million grant to help demolish and replace the 47-year-old commercial T-Dock, and awarding Lummi Nation more than $10.9 million to demolish and replace a pier at Fisherman’s Cove Marina Dock at Gooseberry Point Waterfront. Since 2021, the BIL has invested hundreds of millions into transportation projects located in the Second District. 

Larsen has secured more than $75 million for 55 projects in Northwest Washington state through earmarks in annual spending bills. In spending bills for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), Rep. Larsen secured over $13.9 million for 15 projects, including $1.2 million to reconstruct the Port of Edmonds’ North Portwalk and seawall and $250,000 to replace the Port of Everett’s South Marina Terminal. Rep. Larsen requested $77 million for 20 local projects in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) spending bills.  

###