DelBene Pushes $52 Million Federal Funding Package For Transportation, Water, And Public Safety Projects

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is seeking more than $52 million in federal funding for 20 infrastructure and community projects across Washington’s 1st Congressional District, targeting transportation congestion, drinking water access, public safety upgrades, economic development, and environmental resilience as the region continues to grow.

The proposed projects, submitted as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 federal appropriations process, span communities throughout King and Snohomish counties and include investments in roads, trails, transit centers, salmon recovery, fire stations, sewer systems, and STEM education facilities. The funding requests total approximately $11.5 million for projects in King County and more than $40 million for projects in Snohomish County.

“These 20 projects would improve services, make communities safer, and create jobs by investing in critical programs to strengthen Washington’s 1st Congressional District and the region,” DelBene said. “They include fixes for our roads, enhancements to public safety, support for education, and drinking water improvements. These investments are critical in meeting the needs of our growing region, and I will work to deliver these important federal resources.”

The requests come as cities throughout the district continue to grapple with rapid population growth, increased transportation demand, aging infrastructure, and climate-related challenges that have placed pressure on water systems, emergency services, and public transit networks.

Transportation and mobility projects make up a significant portion of the proposed funding package.

Among the largest requests is $4 million for Snohomish County’s Alderwood Mall Parkway project, which would widen and modernize the heavily traveled corridor between State Route 525 and 168th Street Southwest. The project includes raised bike lanes, sidewalks, upgraded drainage systems, traffic signals, and fish-passable culverts aimed at reducing congestion while improving multimodal access and environmental compliance.

Another major transportation proposal would provide $3 million to Sound Transit for Link resiliency improvements between Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood City Center stations. The project would add siding tracks and train turnaround capacity designed to improve operational flexibility and support more frequent service as the light rail system expands northward.

Community Transit is also seeking $3 million to redesign and expand the Smokey Point Transit Center in Arlington into what officials describe as a high-capacity regional mobility hub capable of supporting future electric bus service and increased regional connections.

Several projects focus on improving safety and accessibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

The City of Arlington is requesting $3 million to construct a roundabout at the intersection of 188th Street and 67th Avenue, an area officials say has experienced 30 accidents over the past six years. The project would include ADA-compliant pedestrian crossings and traffic-calming improvements intended to reduce collisions and improve mobility.

Snohomish County is also pursuing $3 million to design and build the Snohomish River Regional Trail, a planned 5.5-mile multiuse trail connecting Everett and the City of Snohomish. Officials say the project would improve safe transportation access while creating new recreational opportunities along the Snohomish River corridor.

The proposal package also places significant emphasis on drinking water infrastructure and environmental resilience, particularly in rapidly growing areas of Snohomish County.

The City of Arlington submitted multiple water infrastructure requests, including $5.48 million for the 640 Zone Reservoir project, which would expand the city’s water utility system into the Burn Road area to provide reliable potable water service and improve fire protection capabilities for residents currently dependent on wells.

Another Arlington proposal seeks $4.55 million for the Haller North Wellfield project, which would establish a long-term potable water supply and reduce the city’s vulnerability to low summer river flows that increasingly threaten water withdrawals during warmer months. Officials say the project would strengthen public health protections, improve fire-flow reliability, and support long-term economic stability.

Additional infrastructure investments include sewer improvements in the Lake Stevens industrial area designed to support future business growth and development, along with upgrades to aging water mains in Arlington’s Island Crossing area to improve water quality and reduce the risk of service outages.

Public safety and emergency preparedness also feature prominently in the funding requests.

The Redmond Fire Department is seeking $3 million to modernize Fire Station 11 with seismic upgrades, cancer-prevention decontamination systems, and facility improvements intended to support a growing population and evolving emergency response demands.

Meanwhile, the City of Redmond is requesting $1.5 million for a new radar system capable of tracking low-flying drones throughout Redmond and neighboring cities, including Bellevue and Kirkland. Officials say the system would improve public safety and strengthen emergency response capabilities in one of the nation’s busiest municipal drone corridors.

Environmental restoration and recreation projects are also included in the package.

Woodinville is seeking $2.5 million for the second phase of its Salmon Recovery Project, which would replace aging culverts and improve fish passage along Little Bear Creek. Kenmore is requesting $2 million for a stream and culvert resilience project designed to restore habitat while stabilizing nearby roads, sidewalks, and bike infrastructure.

In Marysville, officials are pursuing nearly $1.7 million to expand Mother Nature’s Window Park with new restrooms, picnic shelters, trails, and family recreation areas. Monroe is requesting $2.2 million to redevelop vacant downtown buildings into a public plaza and community gathering space intended to attract visitors and support local businesses.

Education and workforce development also play a role in DelBene’s proposed funding package.

The University of Washington Bothell is requesting $2.5 million for laboratory equipment at Innovation Hall, a joint facility with Cascadia College that supports STEM programs in biology, engineering, computer science, and related fields. University officials say the equipment would help expand hands-on learning opportunities and prepare students for high-demand careers in the region’s growing technology and science sectors.

Homage Senior Services is also requesting more than $360,000 to replace aging ADA-accessible transit vehicles used to transport low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout rural Snohomish County.

While DelBene has formally submitted all 20 projects to the House Appropriations Committee, federal funding is not guaranteed. Under congressional guidelines, members may nominate up to 20 community projects each fiscal year, though only a limited number ultimately receive funding through the federal appropriations process.