Seattle transportation projects could get federal money

SEATTLE (AP) _ President Barack Obama's proposed budget includes $1.2 billion toward a proposed light rail line in Washington's Puget Sound area.

The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/20oIult ) that the federal government might also contribute $75 million to a Seattle streetcar line and $43 million toward a bus line.

The three awards and other Federal Transit Administration funding across the country must still be ratified by Congress in its transportation budget. Despite disagreements between Obama and the Republican-controlled Congress, history suggests the transit grants are likely to pass.

Sound Transit spokesman Bruce Gray says it's not a done deal, but points out that U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, usually looks out for the projects in her committees

Sound Transit has previously won more than $1.3 billion in FTA light-rail grants.