OLYMPIA…Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, says that several grants by the state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) to area governments will result in invaluable road and sidewalk improvements in local communities.

“This funding is highly valuable to struggling rural communities and does not go unnoticed by its residents and businesses,” Morton said. “These infrastructure improvements are vital to the progress of area economic development goals.”

Of the area projects funded by TIB, the largest is $2 million for the city of Colville for its completion of Railroad Street and the final stage of a project to construct a new arterial west of downtown. The connection provides Highway 395 truck traffic with a new bypass route around the business district. The award is the largest TIB grant Colville has ever received.

Other projects in the area include:

Kettle Falls – State Route 395 sidewalk from Juniper Street to Meyers Street ($108,800 total project cost, $78,800 of which is funded by TIB);

Cusick – Winchester Street/4th Avenue sidewalk from State Route 20 to Monumental Way ($100,000 total project cost, all of which is funded by TIB);

Newport – Calispel Avenue from State Route 2 to 1st Street ($1,113,655 total project cost, $500,000 of which is funded by TIB); and

Omak—Ross Canyon Road from Riverside (State Route 215) to Ironwood ($576,500 total project cost, $430,000 of which is funded by TIB).

The Legislature created TIB to facilitate state investment of local transportation projects. Project funding is awarded on a competitive basis using rating criteria established by the board and usually requires local financial participation. During 2005, local governments across the state completed or are currently building or improving 400 projects funded in part by TIB grants. For more information about TIB visit www.tib.wa.gov.

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For more information contact Tami Davis (360) 786-7519 or davis.tami@leg.wa.gov