Lynnwood Awarded $25 Million Federal RAISE Grant to Construct Poplar Way Bridge
City's Advocacy Efforts Result in Major Grant Award for Infrastructure Improvements
LYNNWOOD, WA (August 17, 2022) - The City of Lynnwood has been awarded a $25 million grant to construct a new six-lane, multimodal bridge over Interstate-5. The new bridge will be located between the intersections of 196th St SW/Poplar Way and 33rd Ave W/Alderwood Mall Blvd. The grant is being administered by the Department of Transportation and funded through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program.
"Lynnwood has conducted many studies over the years in an effort to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, address traffic safety, and improve access for walking, biking and transit," said City Engineer David Mach. "The Poplar Way Bridge project regularly ranks as the most effective solution towards reaching these goals by providing a much needed additional I-5 crossing, and relieving the pressure on the highly congested existing crossings and freeway interchanges."
"When we hear from our Lynnwood residents, businesses and visitors, we routinely hear that traffic is their number one concern," stated Public Works Director Bill Franz. "This critical infrastructure project will not only improve traffic, it will also foster economic growth and revitalization, improve public safety, increase transportation equity, and create important community connections. We've applied for many grants over the years to fund this project, and we are thankful to be receiving this huge federal investment."
"We are incredibly grateful to be awarded a $25 million federal RAISE grant for the construction of Poplar Way Bridge, which will make traveling in and around Lynnwood easier, getting folks where they need to go," stated Mayor Christine Frizzell. "We've been working closely with our Congressional representatives letting them know Lynnwood's top priorities, and we are so thankful for the advocacy of Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, Congressman Rick Larsen and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene."
The new bridge is anticipated to carry approximately 30,000 vehicles per day and relieve congestion on the neighboring Alderwood Mall Parkway bridge by 37%. Less congestion at busy interchanges results in fewer backups onto I-5, reduced carbon emissions, and improved traffic safety. The new bridge will also include a protected pedestrian and biking shared path accommodating multi-modal transportation.
Design and Right-of-Way Acquisition for this project are complete. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $49 million. The City of Lynnwood anticipates being ready for construction late 2023 or early 2024.
 About the RAISE Grant Program
The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE Discretionary Grant program, provides an opportunity for the Department of Transportation to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that achieve national objectives. Previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grants, Congress has dedicated nearly $9.9 billion for thirteen rounds of National Infrastructure Investments to fund projects that have a significant local or regional impact.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November of 2021, included an additional $7.5 billion over five years to the existing RAISE Discretionary Program. RAISE grants can be used for a wide variety of infrastructure projects with local or regional impact.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded a total of 166 projects across the country, for an investment of $2.2 billion from the RAISE program. The City of Lynnwood received the maximum amount of $25 million and was one of 18 projects nationwide to receive the full amount.
In The News:
Joint Release From Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell: Washington To Get Nearly $100 Million in Infrastructure Investments Through RAISE Grants
Joint Release From Congressman Rick Larsen and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene: Larsen, DelBene Secure $25 Million for Lynnwood’s Poplar Way Bridge
Contact:
Julie Moore, Assistant City Administrator
jmoore@LynnwoodWA.gov
|
