Arlington gets $122,000 of federal stimulus money

ARLINGTON — Ever since the skate park opened, Arlington’s Parks, Arts and Recreation Commission has been recommending the city build a sidewalk or trail from 67th Avenue to the park. The park is located about five blocks from the Centennial Trail on 67th Avenue, but it’s a rough ride getting from the trail to the skate park.

“We’re receiving $122,000 for the 188th Street Trail that will connect the Centennial Trail on 67th to the Airport Trail at 59th Avenue,” said Kristin Banfield, spokesperson for the city of Arlington.

“The trail will be on the south side of 188th. We’re starting at 59th Avenue and working our way east on the project,” Banfield said.

Projects funded under the stimulus package have to be “shovel ready” and under construction within 180 days of award, Banfield said. This current funding was announced March 12.

The Puget Sound Regional Council was assigned the task of selecting projects to receive an estimated $78 million in Federal Highway Administration funding and $136 million in Federal Transit Administration funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

“In central Puget Sound we are ready to proceed with meaningful projects that will put people to work quickly and get these dollars circulating in our economy,” said the President of PSRC, Auburn Deputy Mayor Sue Singer, “These projects will not only produce jobs in the near term, but will also provide a foundation for future growth.”

Communities around Arlington are also receiving funds.

Marysville was allocated $500,000 for a street overlay project and Granite Falls is getting $3,500,000 for a bypass for Mountain Loop Highway, a project that has been on the community’s wish list for many years.

“With these economic recovery funds, we are leveraging with other state, federal and local funding to put people to work,” said the vice president of PSRC, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson.

“We welcome federal policies that place priority on transparency and accountability and will do our best to track progress and report on progress at every step of the way.”

The $214 million in economic recovery funding available via the PSRC supports the completion of projects representing a combined transportation investment in the region of $4 billion.

PSRC has been working since November with cities, counties, ports, transit agencies and the state on developing a list of ready-to-go projects that would be candidates for economic recovery funds.

PSRC plays two roles in implementing the ARRA:

1) It must approve all projects for inclusion in the regional Transportation Improvement Program.

2) It is responsible for selecting projects for portions of Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funds the state expects to receive via the ARRA.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Feb. 17 this year.

In Snohomish County, the Federal Highway Administration funds will go to:

Arlington – 188th Street Pedestrian Trail $122,000

Marysville – Street Overlay Project $500,000

Tulalip Tribes/Snohomish County – 116th/34th Ave NE Fish Passage Culvert $2,000,000

Stanwood – 68th Road Realignment and School Safety Improvement Project $750,000

Granite Falls – Alternate Route $3,500,000

Bothell – North Creek Trail (various sections) $600,000

Lynnwood – 1-5/196th St SW Interchange Bridge/Pedestrian Improvement Project $1,250,000

Port of Everett – W Marine View Dr Roadway Ped/Bike Corridor Improvements (11th to 16th) $1,900,000

Everett – Holly Drive Non-Motorized Improvements $750,000

Community Transit – Mountlake Terrace Park-and-Ride (Upper Parking Area) $425,000