Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling expressed his appreciation Monday to the Port of Edmonds Commission for its recent vote to contribute $25,000 toward the city’s local match of $100,000 for an alternatives analysis of at-grade rail crossings along the Edmonds waterfront.

Port of Edmonds Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 23 to support the city’s proposed study — now being considered in the state Legislature — of several alternatives that could address the issue of increasing train traffic, which blocks public, commercial and emergency access to the Edmonds waterfront community, port and ferry terminal.

“I am delighted to receive the port’s critical support for our request,” Earling said “And I am especially grateful for the commission’s offer to contribute $25,000 to join the city’s funds as a local match for the state monies. It is just this kind of cooperation between agencies that shows the state we’re ready to take on this serious issue.”

Port Commission President David Preston noted that the port has been discussing the topic of at-grade crossings for many years. “On behalf of the port and my fellow commissioners, we are looking forward to partnering with the City of Edmonds on this study to identify practical alternatives to the existing situation.”

Through its delegation in Olympia, the City of Edmonds has requested state funding for the alternatives analysis and preliminary design of the selected alternative. The City Council voted in December to include in the 2015 city budget a $100,000 local match from the city for the analysis work. The state Senate’s draft transportation revenue package, which was approved by the full Senate Monday, contains $1.25 million for the analysis and design.

“We applaud our Senate delegation for working hard to secure this funding in the Senate package,” says Mayor Earling. “But I remind everyone that the Senate package is step one of many steps it will take over the next few months to successfully secure state funding for this project.”