Lacey, WA – This week, U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) toured several Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded projects across the South Sound. Since IIJA became law in late 2021, dozens of local infrastructure priorities have been completed or are under construction. This once-in-a-generation federal investment in our local communities is already making our streets safer, our water cleaner, and getting more people access to reliable broadband.
“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is delivering tangible benefits for South Sound residents,” said U.S. Rep. Strickland. “Whether it’s roads, bridges, electric vehicle infrastructure, transit, broadband, pedestrian and cyclist safety, or jobs – this legislation is boosting our economy, increasing safety and supporting the needs of our growing region.
I-5McAllister Creek Bridge Tour
Recent WSDOT repairs to both I-5 bridges reinforced several support columns. The columns had cracks and concrete delamination due to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel in the columns. This reinforcement project extends the life of these essential bridges and will help protect the 120,000 daily I-5 drivers.
Nisqually Indian Tribe: Thriving Communities Grant Program
Funded by IIJA, the Thriving Communities Grant Program funds technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities. The Nisqually Indian Tribe is using these federal grant funds to pursue a Decarbonization Initiative work plan that will support energy-efficient transportation facilities, including outfitting the Nisqually Facility and Transportation Building with Electric Vehicle charging stations and solar panels.
Granite Construction Asphalt Production Facility & Recycle Yard
Granite Construction provides essential construction materials for IIJA projects across the region. The company is helping to build and repair important infrastructure projects, including construction of fish passages.
Roadway Improvements in University Place and Steilacoom
U.S. Representative Strickland also visited IIJA traffic mitigation and pedestrian cyclist safety projects in the city of University Place. These will help mitigate traffic back-ups along Chambers Creek Road via a new roundabout and add in pedestrian and cyclist access and safety measures.
In Steilacoom, a IIJA funded federal grant completed improvements to access and safety near the Steilacoom – Anderson Island Ferry dock. The projects increased access to the city center and reduced congestion for those waiting to board the ferry.
Pierce Transit Base Tour and Electric Busses
In 2022, Pierce Transit was awarded federal Low or No Emission Grant Program funding and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program funding, both of which U.S. Rep. Strickland was glad to support. Strickland toured the Pierce Transit base to learn more about their expansion needs and to see the electric bus she helped secure.
These electric bus grants were expanded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law in 2021.
The historic Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act continues to deliver for the South Sound region. Federal funding, economic opportunity, and job creation can be seen throughout the 10th Congressional District.
###