“The first FAST Corridor project to begin construction, the Port of Tacoma Road Overpass project, broke ground last week.The project is designed to facilitate easier, faster road and rail transportation into the Port of Tacoma area. The FAST Corridor program is a $400 million plan to improve freight mobility along the Interstate 5 corridor between Tacoma and Everett.All 15 FAST Corridor priority projects are designed to improve the region’s rail and road connections, allowing commuters and cargo to move faster, safer, and more efficiently.The $33 million overpass is a grade separation project that will elevate Port of Tacoma Road over State Route 509 and railroad tracks.The project is being funded by the Port of Tacoma, the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads.Work on the project begins this month with completion anticipated for August 2001.The contractor is Balfour Beatty Construction, Inc. of Renton.”