Gov. Gregoire signs transportation budget

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2008

SEATTLE � Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed the 2008 supplemental transportation budget (House Bill 2878) to allow Washington to continue progress on three critical transportation goals � increase safety, improve maintenance and provide congestion relief.

�Our investments will make our roads safer for our families, and safety is our number one concern,� Gregoire said. �Our investments also will provide congestion relief, a critical component of building a strong economic future in our state.�

The supplemental transportation budget includes funding to construct three new car ferries to serve the Port Townsend to Keystone route. These will join the three 144-car boats in the process of being designed. The design and construction of six boats nearly simultaneously is a first for the state�s ferry system in more than 30 years.

The transportation budget also keeps project delivery on track. The budget fully funds concrete barriers on Interstate 5 near Marysville. And it provides $14 million for improvements between Gold Bar and Monroe and centerline rumble strips between Monroe and Sultan to address immediate safety concerns on U.S. 2.

�I think we did a great job of coming up with a budget that focuses our limited transportation investments on the right priorities,� said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. �Budgetary realities limit what we can accomplish � but I think we�ve achieved a responsible balance of safety, congestion relief and maintaining our existing infrastructure.�

�This budget represents a significant milestone in our path toward a modern transportation system,� said Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, House Transportation Committee chair. �We have a new tolling policy and are moving forward on major projects, including replacing the State Route 520 Bridge.�

In her remarks at the bill signing, the governor noted the continued progress on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the SR 520 Bridge across Lake Washington.

�We have also taken great strides in resolving issues by using mediation with the neighborhoods that will be impacted by construction,� Gregoire said. �Last week the mediation group recommended three interchange options for the state Department of Transportation to review in the environmental process. I commend the communities and neighborhoods participating in the mediation process for coming together to agree on these options for further review. This progress brings us one step closer to having a new floating bridge by 2014.�
Other key items funded in the transportation budget include:

• A High Occupancy Toll (HOT) pilot project on SR 167 � a four-year pilot project that allows solo drivers to pay an electronic toll to use carpool lanes.


• SR 519 connection from the Port of Seattle to Interstate 90.


• Local road improvements near the Interstate 82 Valley Mall Boulevard interchange in Yakima.


• The Riverside Extension project, which will promote a more contained and campus-like area for students and faculty in Spokane�s University District, and will resolve safety concerns.


• An additional lane on I-5 near Maytown in Thurston County.

Gregoire vetoed nine sections of the supplemental transportation budget.

In addition, the governor signed legislation (House Bill 1773) establishing a consistent statewide policy to guide tolling decisions. The bill:

• Outlines the decision-making process for establishing toll facilities;


• Provides direction on the use of toll revenue; and


• Emphasizes the need for a simple and interoperable toll collection system.

�No single source of revenue is sufficient to fund large transportation projects in our state,� Gregoire said. �To replace many of our state�s vulnerable transportation facilities and to accommodate growth, we need to partner with the users to fund projects.�

The governor today also took action on the following bills:

House Bill 2480
Relating to public transportation fares

House Bill 2564
Relating to adding bicyclist and pedestrian safety information to driver�s education curriculum

House Bill 2746
Relating to the purchasing of fuel

House Bill 2878
Relating to transportation funding and appropriations

House Bill 3126
Relating to the interaction of the streamlined sales and use tax legislation and the power of local governments to license and tax

House Bill 3224
Relating to a feasibility study on commuter rail services

House Bill 3274
Relating to improving public contracting for public port districts

Senate Bill 6195
Relating to the definition of rural county for economic development purposes

Senate Bill 6532
Relating to the management of state-owned aquatic lands by cities for the purposes of operating a publicly owned marina

Senate Bill 6602
Relating to the pilotage act

Senate Bill 6805
Relating to promoting farm and forest land preservation and environmental restoration through conservation markets

Senate Bill 6932
Relating to ferry vessel and terminal planning