Rep. McDermott Announces $18 Million DOT Grant for King Street Rehabilitation

Press Release

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-Wash) today announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation will receive an $18,293,407 High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Federal Grant for the King Street Station Rehabilitation. The grant will aid the City of Seattle in restoring the interior and exterior architecture, and improving the Station's functionality, making the station the Seattle Metropolitan area's regional transportation hub.

"King Street Station is an iconic landmark in downtown Seattle, as well as a vital transportation hub for the entire region," said Congressman McDermott. "Revitalizing King Street Station will not only repair the station after years of neglect, but will play an important role in spurring economic development in the historic Pioneer Square and the International District, both creating local jobs and supporting local businesses."

Earlier this year, Congressman McDermott wrote a letter of strong support to the Federal Railroad Administrator for the HSIPR funding. King Street Station serves well over 3 million inter-city rail passengers each year who ride Amtrak's Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, and the Cascades routes, as well as thirteen daily commuter trains operated by the regional transit provider, Sound Transit. In July of last year, the region's initial light rail line opened and its International District station is immediately adjacent to King Street Station. The Station is also served by numerous local and regional bus lines, and a future streetcar line is being planned that will connect two other neighborhoods with service directly to the Station.

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