Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee laid out its plan last night for the six-year, $284 billion surface transportation package that replaces the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The new bill doubles ferry funding as proposed by Larsen and includes money he pushed for in order to address congestion relief, safety on rural roads, and billions to help states like Washington with freight mobility and border needs.

“This bill creates the blueprints for the next six years of federal transportation funding,” Larsen noted. “As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will push hard to make sure that this year’s bill contains Washington state priorities.” 

Larsen plans to reintroduce soon the Ferry Transportation Enhancement Act to authorize a boost in resources to public ferry systems, state governments, and public entities that develop and construct ferry facilities. Last Congress Senator Murray introduced the bill in the Senate and also plans to reintroduce the bill this year. Last year’s version of the transportation authorization bill, that did not pass before Congress adjourned, contained Larsen’s proposal to sizably increase ferry funding. The committee incorporated Larsen’s ferry funding proposal in its larger federal transportation bill last year and again in the bill it introduced today.

“I worked hard to make sure my colleagues understood that ferries aren’t just tourist attractions,” Larsen said. “They’re critical components of our nation’s transportation system.”

“Washington state is home to the largest ferry system in the nation. If the ferry funding pie doubles, our piece will significantly grow and benefit Washington’s ferries and passengers,” Larsen said.

The previous bill, TEA-21, authorized $220 million over six years for ferries. If passed, the new bill will authorize $430 million for fiscal years 2004 through 2009 for the nation’s ferry systems.

In addition to ferry funding, the bill includes other provisions that if passed would benefit Washington state.

“We made critical funding headway on relieving congestion, moving freight through our cities, increasing safety on our roads, and moving ferries through our waters,” Larsen said.
Larsen serves as co-chair of the 2010 Olympics Task Force in Washington state. He argued that the Olympics make it even more important to quickly reauthorize TEA-21.
“The Northern Border communities that I represent in Congress have a special stake in the 2010 Olympics because they’ll be living in the middle of the traffic it generates,” Larsen said. “Reauthorizing this transportation bill will help Washington state capitalize on the tremendous trade and tourism opportunities the Olympics present us.”
“Last year the administration allowed the clock to run out on Congress’s attempts to reauthorize this critical transportation investment,” Larsen said. “We absolutely must move forward quickly now to improve the safety of our transportation system, increase business productivity, and help create jobs.”

Larsen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. TEA-21 was set to expire on September 30, 2003 but Congress extended it and failed to reauthorize the bill last year. The new bill, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU) reauthorizes the federal highway, public transportation, highway safety, and motor carrier safety programs for six years, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009. It provides $284 billion in guaranteed funding.