The Spokane Street Widening Project was made possible through leveraged BTG dollars which resulted in significant local and federal grant funding.
The Bridging the Gap (BTG) Transportation initiative was passed by Seattle voters in 2006. BTG committed not only to construct city-funded transportation projects, but also to leverage other funds and support a variety of regional and federal partnership opportunities.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and BTG have delivered on that promise. Over the first six and half years of the BTG program, more than $167 million has been raised from outside partners. Grants leveraging BTG funds make up over two-thirds of the grants awarded to SDOT. Since passage of BTG, the average annual amount of grants awarded to SDOT has increased more than 50 percent.
To date, approximately $340 million in BTG funds have been spent, while stimulating a gain of $167 million in grants. This is well above the commitment of 20 percent in grant funding. BTG has helped SDOT keep its commitment and solidify a very successful grant program that is based on solid projects – projects that are ready to go and qualify for available local matching dollars.
These awards have enabled completion of projects SDOT manages: roads and bridges, public transit, bikeways and sidewalks, safety programs and school zones, major projects, historic preservation and basic pavement maintenance.
View of the main waiting room in the completed King Street Station Renovations project which was a major grant recipient.
For additional information on BTG, please visit the web page.