News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 30, 2002
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs landmark transportation reform bill

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke today signed into law Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2304, landmark legislation that puts into statute transportation efficiencies and reforms recommended by the state’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

The bill passed the state Senate and House with a wide bipartisan margin.

“This is a great day for transportation in Washington state,” Locke said. “I am proud to sign a bill that does so much to restore public confidence and gets the most out of every dollar spent on transportation projects.”

The governor thanked bill sponsors for their assistance in getting the bill passed, including Reps. Ruth Fisher (D-27) and Fred Jarrett (R-41) and Sens. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10), Jim Horn (R-41), Georgia Gardner (D-42) and Margarita Prentice (D-11).

“This comprehensive bill adopts recommendations of the commission – and even goes beyond them,” Locke said. “It builds on the reforms that we were able to enact last year, environmental permit streamlining, design-build and advance right-of-way purchasing.”

The efficiencies and reform bill provides:

  • Performance measures for accountability
  • Contracting out with the private sector for construction services to help ensure rapid project delivery
  • Several steps to improve prevailing wage survey techniques so there is more fairness and accuracy
  • Efficiency and reform tools for “best practices” in transportation investment, preservation and maintenance


“Everyone did a great job moving this bill through the legislative process so quickly,” the governor concluded. “Now, we can get on with the rest of the critical work we need to do to finish the job before us – providing long-term funding solutions to our very serious highway problems.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Legislature
- Rep. Ruth Fisher
- Rep. Fred Jarrett
- Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen
- Sen. Jim Horn
- Sen. Georgia Gardner
- Sen. Margarita Prentice
- Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation


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