U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured funding for two Sound Transit link light rail projects in the final Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which funds government programs through Sept. 30, 2023, according to an announcement on Dec. 21.

The Federal Way Link Extension will receive $329.14 million in FY23 funding and the Lynnwood Link Extension will receive $254 million in FY23 funding. Cantwell chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

“Big news — the Sound Transit Federal Way Link Extension is now fully funded, and we are one step closer to getting light rail service into Snohomish County,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Sound Transit is in the midst of the largest transit expansion in the country, and with the historic rise in inflation and costs for construction materials, it was critical that the federal government step up to help transit agencies expeditiously fund these types of large projects.”

With the additional funding, the Federal Way Link Extension is now fully funded three years ahead of schedule, according to Cantwell, which also allows Sound Transit to save tens of millions in taxpayer dollars.

The funding for Lynnwood Link Extension, which extends Link to Snohomish County, puts the project on a path to be fully funded in FY24.

All of the funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. This discretionary grant program funds transit capital investments, including heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit.

As committee chair, Sen. Cantwell champions investment in Washington state’s transportation infrastructure and has helped secure federal funding for important infrastructure and transit expansion projects throughout the state.