Watch: Federal grant awarded to BNSF’s Salmon Bay Bridge project

Salmon Bay Bridge project receives federal grant and BNSF support.

BNSF

On Sept. 9, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) announced that $25 million will be awarded to the Salmon Bay Bridge project by the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.

The Salmon Bay Bridge is 108 years old and connects the Interbay and Magnolia neighborhoods with Ballard.

“The Salmon Bay Bridge is a critical piece of freight and passenger transportation infrastructure that is at risk of failure,” said Sen. Cantwell. “More than 30 trains and 100 vessels each day depend on this bridge to get freight and commuters where they need to go. These funds will ensure that one of Seattle’s most iconic bridges remains operational for another 50 years.”

The bridge is an integral rail link for western Washington. Between 30 and 40 freight, commuter, and intercity passenger rail trains cross the bridge each day, including Sounder trains and Amtrak trains.

“The Salmon Bay Bridge is a critical transportation corridor for freight rail and passenger trains, including Sound Transit Sounder North commuter rail service,” said Sound Transit Board Vice Chair and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This grant is an innovative solution to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of this bridge, which is crucial to ensuring our economy, can thrive and our people move. We are very grateful for Sen. Cantwell’s tenacious work to secure this funding.”

BNSF will contribute an additional $70 million to the bridge rehabilitation project. For more details, please watch the video below.

Read more articles about railroad bridges.

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