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The U.S. Senate Transportation Appropriations subcommittee recently earmarked $75 million in the fiscal-year 2004 budget for Sound Transit to begin building the Central Link light-rail system.

In July, Federal Transit Administration announced its plan to award a Full Funding Grant Agreement for Central Link following a 60-day congressional review. Sound Transit plans to break ground on the project soon after the grant agreement is executed.

The transportation appropriations subcommittee plan now moves to the full Appropriations Committee and Senate for approval. A House-Senate conference committee is expected to determine the final funding amount before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.