The city of Newcastle has won final state funding for the Coal Creek Parkway expansion project. Lawmakers in Olympia adopted the transportation budget over the weekend that includes $3 million for Coal Creek Parkway. This money will help pay off the final bill for the project, keeping the expansion on time and under budget.

Governor Gregoire has until May 19 to sign the transportation budget into law.

“The entire City Council sends a huge thank you to the delegation from the 41st District for making this happen,” said Newcastle Mayor Ben Varon. “Rep. Judy Clibborn, Chair of the House Transportation Committee, championed this cause from the beginning and saw it through to the end. She, along with Sen. Fred Jarrett and Rep. Marcie Maxwell, fought hard for this funding because they know how vital Coal Creek Parkway is not only for Newcastle residents, but for commuters all over the Eastside.”

Varon also thanked Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

“This is a proud day for all members of the Newcastle City Council who have worked tirelessly to fund this project,” Varon said.

The project expands Coal Creek Parkway from two to four lanes on the south end of Newcastle, upgrading the important north-south corridor between Bellevue and Renton. It includes left-turn pockets, landscaped medians, bike lanes, new sidewalks, curb and gutter, crosswalks, three new traffic signals, illumination, and drainage facilities.

In addition to the road improvements, the 56-year old May Creek Bridge was replaced with a four-lane structure.

The $44 million project was funded through a variety of state and federal sources along with $3.4 million from the city of Newcastle, making it the largest project in the city’s history. A ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the expanded Coal Creek Parkway is scheduled for July 16.