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The Bush Administration recently proposed $75 million in the fiscal year 2004 budget for Sound Transit, which would enable the agency to begin building the Central Link light-rail initial segment.



The appropriation would provide the fiscal year 2004 installment of the Full Funding Grant Agreement that Sound Transit is hoping to secure this year. The passenger railroad hopes to begin laying tracks for the 24-mile project this summer.



The proposed funding follows a "highly recommended" rating for the project by the Federal Transit Administration. The rating is the highest a project can be given under the FTA’s process for prioritizing applicants for New Starts funding, according to a prepared statement. Ratings are based on the project’s ridership, cost-effectiveness, local financial commitment and level of design.



Central Link would provide a light-rail connection between the Seattle-Tacoma airport and downtown Seattle, and include 23 stations.