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The Columbia River Crossing project has received $42 million in federal transportation funding, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., announced today.

Paula Hammond, Washington State Secretary of Transportation, said the funding is a signal that partners on the local, state and federal levels are working together.

“It is definitely a welcome amount,” said Carley Francis, spokeswoman for the CRC. “The key items we would anticipate using the money for is completing an environmental review and getting closer to a final design so we can put it out for a bid and help fund property acquisitions work.”

Francis said the next step is to continue working with the project’s council to address some issues and concerns over the project. A public meeting then be held July 29. After the public has a chance to comment, the council will review any recommendations Aug. 9. A public meeting scheduled for July 29 has been canceled.

The CRC is being designed with the intention of extending light rail to Vancouver, Wash., improving pedestrian traffic and alleviating congestion on Interstate 5.