Completing the Apple Capital Loop

The Wenatchee Valley serves the world with the highest quality apple, cherry, and pear exports, is home to 70,000 people, and provides services as an urban hub for all of North Central Washington. It is also only 1 of 8 metropolitan areas in the na􀆟on located away from the Na􀆟onal Interstate system, and yet our resilient community has invested over $100 million in the last 10 years in transporta􀆟on improvements and con􀆟nues to invest in this cri􀆟cal lifeline, the Apple Capital Loop. This 11-mile loop carries more than 110,000 vehicles per day and is key to freight, business, commuters, transit, emergency services and everyone who lives and visits the Wenatchee Valley. Confined by the Cascade foothills and divided by the mighty Columbia River the importance of this loop is further emphasized. Comple􀆟ng transporta􀆟on improvements on the loop will address current conges􀆟on problems and set the region up for burgeoning growth that is already occurring straining our system. The Apple Capital Loop INFRA grant request will provide the first significant Federal investment to complement local public and private investments to address exis􀆟ng issues as well set forth a path for economic prosperity consistent with goals and objectives for the national transportation system!
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
 Address Safety, Mobility, and Aesthe􀆟cs on North Wenatchee Ave (SR 285)
• North Wenatchee Ave is the greatest botleneck on the loop with 40,000 vehicles per day and has the highest numbers of accidents on the loop. U-turns and medians will address the safety problems while enhancing the business district access. Bus Rapid Transit will improve service for Link Transit commuters. More than $30 million of Connec􀆟ng Washington and local funds are secured for these projects with a total cost of approximately $58 million.
• The Sleepy Hollow fires destroyed warehouses and opened the opportunity for a RR underpass at McKitrick Street. This underpass will connect the waterfront to North Wenatchee Avenue and will facilitate more than $240 million of private redevelopment in the area.
• US 2 and Easy Street Signal will get replaced with a roundabout to improve
safety and traffic/freight flow.
 Build a Bypass to North Wenatchee Avenue -> Confluence Parkway
• Confluence Parkway addresses conges􀆟on and freight delays with a bypass to North Wenatchee Avenue and provides a third way in and out of the city,
which is especially important during emergencies. The corridor is planned along the east side of the RR tracks between Miller Street and the exis􀆟ng US2/HWY 97A interchange. Loop trail and park enhancements will also be included! The total cost of this component is es􀆟mate at $117 million.
All Hands on Deck: The City of Wenatchee is applying on behalf of a partnership with WSDOT, Port of Douglas County, Douglas County, City of East Wenatchee, Chelan County, Port of Chelan County, Chelan-Douglas Transporta􀆟on Council, LINK Transit, and BNSF Railway.
 Federal Request: $150 million (60.0%)
 Local Match: $101 million (40.0%)
 Total Project: $251 million (100.0%)
Leveraging Local/State Investments: The State implemented an 11.9-cent Gas Tax that will return $81 million to our region for improvements to the congested N Wenatchee Ave and Sunset Highway. These State funds are key to showing leverage for our Federal Grant application.
ACTION REQUESTED
We need you to reach out to our Federal Delegation and ask them to make this project their #1 Priority for the selection of INFRA Grant- Large Projects funding awards. Call or email our members today and ask for their response.
Questions?
Call or Email:
Steve King
Economic Development Director
City of Wenatchee,
509.888.3203
sking@wenatcheewa.gov
Contact Information for Delegation
Senator Patty Murray https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone 202-224-2621
Fax 202-224-0238
Toll Free: 866-481-9186
Policy Staff: Josephine Eckert / Samara Russler
Senator Maria Cantwell
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email
511 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3441 Fax: (202) 228-0514
Transportation Policy Staff: Matt McCarthy
Congressman Dave Reichert
https://reichert.house.gov/contact-me/email-me
1127 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-7761 Fax: (202) 225-4282
Transportation Policy Staff:
Congressman Dan Newhouse https://newhouse.house.gov/contact/email
1318 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5816
Fax (202) 225-3251
Chief of Staff: Carrie Meadows