The House Transportation committee approved a revenue package Tuesday night that includes $500,000 for the Seattle Waterfront Loop Feasibility Study, a project championed by Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard). The waterfront loop study would finalize the design of a fully contiguous loop from Shilshole Bay Marina to West Seattle.

“A vibrant waterfront is key to a growing economy and connecting communities in Seattle,” said Tarleton. “The Seattle Waterfront Loop will be more than a walking and biking path. The loop will connect ferries, harbor cruises, cruise ships, farmers markets, restaurants, and other local businesses in a way that we haven’t seen before. Once the viaduct project is complete and our neighborhoods become better connected, we will rediscover just how diverse Seattle’s public waterfront really is.”

Tarleton also led an amendment to Senate Bill 5988 that invests $12 million into some of the most heavily traveled bus corridors in Seattle. “Nearly 11 million riders a year rely on Routes 40, 44, 48, and 67 to get to work, school, and the grocery store,” said Tarleton. “In the coming years, we must expand transit options to keep people and goods moving safely through our rapidly growing city neighborhoods.”

The House Transportation revenue package will raise about $15 billion in revenue to fund projects across the state over the next 16 years. It will grow Washington’s economy, moving freight and connecting goods to markets around the world. The House plan creates 4,000 – 6,500 jobs every year – as many as 100,000 over the life of the package.

Neither the waterfront loop study nor the bus transit corridor investments were included in the Senate transportation proposal. The House and Senate negotiators begin discussions on a compromise package this week.

The 2015 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, April 26.