ARRA funds help expand, improve Aberdeen Transit Station

OLYMPIA–WSDOT, Grays Harbor Transit and project partners celebrated today at a community ribbon-cutting at a bigger and better Aberdeen Transit Station. The station expansion and upgrade was funded in part by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant.

With the ARRA grant and additional Federal Transit Administration funding, crews began work on the Aberdeen Transit Station last summer and opened the new facility to the public on January 20, 2010. The ARRA funds created 49 jobs in the area bringing $270,000 (associated payroll) into Grays Harbor community and filled a $500,000 shortfall for the $1.75 million project.

“Congratulations to Grays Harbor County for successfully completing this expansion project,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “This project allows Grays Harbor Transit to accommodate future travel demand, improve access to regional business and job centers, keep communities connected and help revitalize the local economy” she said.

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Washington state received nearly $500 million in Recovery Act funds for state and local highway construction projects. In addition, Washington received $179 million for transit projects and last month was awarded $590 million for high speed intercity rail projects and $35 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery TIGER discretionary grants.

ARRA money allowed Grays Harbor Transit to expand the station to accommodate future growth and build a covered passenger-waiting area. Crews also improved the existing lighting while adding new security cameras, sidewalks and bike racks and building 35 more park-and-ride spaces. The improvements make the station more convenient for bicyclists and pedestrians with better accessibility for all users. Other station improvements include enhancing local traffic and transit safety by rerouting departing buses from a congested and difficult merge to a signalized crossing.

Washington state is administering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments with an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability. Gov. Gregoire created a Web site, www.recovery.wa.gov/, so every Washingtonian can see where tax dollars are going and hold government accountable for the results. On the federal level, President Obama has appointed Vice President Biden to oversee all states’ recovery efforts and to root out waste and fraud. This combined oversight will ensure taxpayer dollars are put to good use and recharge the economy.

Learn more about the faces and places where Recovery Act projects have created or sustained jobs, supported our economy and enhanced safety and connectivity of our transportation system.

Visit our Flickr site to see photos of crews in action at the Aberdeen Transit Station.