Community Transit in Everett, Washington, recently received a $43.2 million grant for its Swift II (Green Line) Bus Rapid Transit Project from the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants program.
The grant was authorized by Congress last year, but funds were not released until this month.
The project will establish a new regional transit hub near Paine Field, and create two new terminals served by high-capacity articulated buses and 18 new stations. Thirteen new transit vehicles will be purchased, bus lanes will be added approaching the I-5 overpass in Everett and the road will be extended at the Bothell-Everett Highway and Airport Road.
“This investment will provide Everett residents with the quick and reliable transportation they need to have access to the region’s good manufacturing and technology jobs,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.
The 12.3-mile Green Line will connect major employment and residential centers such as Paine Field, Mill Creek Town Center, and Canyon Park. Several multimodal regional transit services also will connect riders to 65,000 nearby jobs at Seaway Transit Center.
Service between Everett and Canyon Park will begin in the summer of 2019.
The original Swift Line’s most popular route, between Everett and Shoreline carries 5,500 passengers daily.