Port Investment Will Help Freight and Fans Get to Destination Faster

Commission supports jobs, economic growth with $5.5 million for freight mobility project

Port of Seattle Commissioners today approved a $5.5 million investment in the completion of SR 519. The project provides a crucial connection between the Port's Terminal 46 facility and the freeway system, giving trucks an efficient way to move cargo to and from the Port and pedestrians a safe route to sports stadiums and local shops.

The project, currently in its second phase, has three major components: widening the roadway along South Atlantic Street, east of First Avenue South; construction of a new west-bound off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 to the current South Atlantic Street overpass; and a new elevated crossing for pedestrians and local traffic over the BNSF rail tracks on South Royal Brougham Way.

“The Port of Seattle depends on our roads and railways to get goods to and from Washington and fulfill our mission of creating jobs and economic growth for the region,” said Commission President John Creighton. “The Port Commission has shown unwavering commitment to completing SR 519, and by our action today, the Port is helping to build infrastructure that increases safety for pedestrians and improves our ability to send Washington goods to a global market.”

The project is part of FAST Corridor, transportation projects designed to improve freight mobility along rail corridors in King and Pierce counties. Projects are funded by several partners, including federal and state agencies, local cities and counties, private partners, and the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. Total cost for SR 519 Phase 2 is expected to be $74.4 million. Construction is slated to begin in the fall.

“When completed, the SR 519 project will improve safety for pedestrians through the stadium area and allow freight to move more quickly and efficiently from port terminals to I-5,” said Herald Ugles, President, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19. “These improvements will help secure good, family-wage jobs for Seattle for many years.”

Along with the pedestrians, longshore workers, and truckers, area retailers will benefit from the project. “Completion of SR 519 is important to the Seattle Mariners in two ways. The elevated crossing will make it easier and safer for people to walk to the ballpark,” said Jim LaShell, Senior Director of Retail Operations for the M's. “And we rely on quick, dependable transport of everything from caps and t-shirts for our Team Stores to bobbleheads for fans. This project will benefit the entire region.”

For more information about SR 519, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR519.

Port of Seattle facilities support nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region and generate more than $12 billion in business revenue and $626 million in state and local taxes annually. More information about how the Port of Seattle creates jobs and economic growth for the region is posted on this site.