Downtown Vancouver will get $2 million in federal funding for the creation of two new rail under-crossings, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) announced last week.
The construction of the new access points will clear the way for the proposed $1.3 billion Waterfront Redevelopment project, set to include hotels, housing and retail outlets.
"The opportunity to connect and in some ways reconnect, our community to our waterfront is unmatched in size and potential," said Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard. "This project will forever change the face of Vancouver and the state of Washington."
The waterfront project has become the cornerstone of Pollard's economic agenda for the city, and if it gets built, could well define the three-term mayor's legacy for decades to come.
Unlike the controversial Columbia River Crossing project, mayoral challenger Tim Leavitt has said he wholeheartedly supports efforts to revitalize the city's waterfront.
The city council is currently reviewing an agreement for the riverfront project. A vote is likely to take place next month.
