Money spent on pedestrian infrastructure comes from several different public and private sources. Public and private investments throughout Seattle construct, improve, and maintain pedestrian infrastructure and facilities.
The City budget is reviewed every year to evaluate the distribution of the General Fund. This money is distributed throughout all departments within the City of Seattle. Each year the amount of money each department receives can change based on the amount of money in the General Fund. Click here for additional information about the General Fund. Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) received approximately $43,472,000 in 2007 and $48,946,000 in 2008 from the General Fund and is expected to receive $41,760,000 in 2009.
In addition to the General Fund, SDOT has additional funds for transportation improvements from the Bridging the Gap (BTG) levy and grants. Improvements include sidewalk maintenance and construction, road paving, street trees, signals, and new street signs. This BTG money has paid for improvements since 2007 and will continue to pay for improvements through 2015.
With BTG and other new revenue sources, the SDOT budget will increase from $194 million in 2007 to approximately $205 million (adopted) in 2008, $340 million (adopted) in 2009, and is endorsed for $336 million in 2010. These amounts are subject to change when the City balances and adjusts the budget each year. These increases are due to the addition of three new revenue sources beginning in 2007 and projected increases in federal, state, and inter-local grants. These grant opportunities are made possible because of the types and scale of projects planned in this period and the additional revenues available to provide matching support for the grants.
Certain projects are eligible for funding from King County, Washington State, and/or the Federal Government. These funds are often targeted to a specific project type. For example, the Federal Government provided money for Sound Transit Light Rail and King County is making improvements at bus stops at various locations.
When new buildings are built, the project may be required to construct or replace sidewalks, curb ramps, or even install a new signal. These improvements are made to support or mitigate the impact of the new development so that people can walk from the entrance of the new building to nearby transit or services. Smaller scale private investments are also made when property owners repair sidewalks, plant trees, or upgrade their property frontage.
