Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 6, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Washington State Department of Transportation officials briefed the governor at State Route 24 in Yakima and State Route 240 in Richland. The projects, which require funding through passage of a statewide transportation plan, would improve safety, limit congestion and improve freight mobility.
Yakima County Commissioners Jim Lewis and Jesse Palacios and Yakima Assistant Mayor Paul George accompanied Locke at SR 24 in Yakima.
The governor told the Yakima audience that SR 24 is a critical project for the growing area.
“A growing population means there are more cars, and more cars result in more backups, and more backups translate into more accidents,” Locke said.
Speaking to the cost of congestion, the governor said, “The latest information shows that traffic congestion contributes to a $2 billion loss in productivity in our state alone.”
In the Tri-Cities, Locke visited SR 240 – also known as the causeway – a critical stretch of road that is of the utmost importance in getting people to work in Hanford, Columbia Center and Kennewick.
Benton County Commissioner Leo Bowman, Richland City Councilmembers Rob Welch and Carol Moser, Pasco City Councilmember Charles Kilbury and Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Fred Bennett joined the governor at the SR 240 project near Richland.
“We need an additional $43.6 million to lessen the congestion and decrease the dangers on the road,” Locke said. “Without this funding now, we won’t be able to support the current timeframe of completing phases two and three by 2005. There will be adjustments in and slowdown of the design, right of way and construction schedule.”
“I know you can’t afford this delay and I know the state can’t,” the governor concluded. “We have a lot to do to rebuild our economy and that means building a transportation system now that will get people, goods and services to where they need to go safely and efficiently in the future.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Transportation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 6, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Locke promotes transportation plan at highway project briefings in Yakima and Tri-Cities
RICHLAND – Citing improved safety and economic growth, Gov. Gary Locke today promoted passage of a statewide transportation plan at highway project briefings in Yakima and the Tri-Cities.Washington State Department of Transportation officials briefed the governor at State Route 24 in Yakima and State Route 240 in Richland. The projects, which require funding through passage of a statewide transportation plan, would improve safety, limit congestion and improve freight mobility.
Yakima County Commissioners Jim Lewis and Jesse Palacios and Yakima Assistant Mayor Paul George accompanied Locke at SR 24 in Yakima.
The governor told the Yakima audience that SR 24 is a critical project for the growing area.
“A growing population means there are more cars, and more cars result in more backups, and more backups translate into more accidents,” Locke said.
Speaking to the cost of congestion, the governor said, “The latest information shows that traffic congestion contributes to a $2 billion loss in productivity in our state alone.”
In the Tri-Cities, Locke visited SR 240 – also known as the causeway – a critical stretch of road that is of the utmost importance in getting people to work in Hanford, Columbia Center and Kennewick.
Benton County Commissioner Leo Bowman, Richland City Councilmembers Rob Welch and Carol Moser, Pasco City Councilmember Charles Kilbury and Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Fred Bennett joined the governor at the SR 240 project near Richland.
“We need an additional $43.6 million to lessen the congestion and decrease the dangers on the road,” Locke said. “Without this funding now, we won’t be able to support the current timeframe of completing phases two and three by 2005. There will be adjustments in and slowdown of the design, right of way and construction schedule.”
“I know you can’t afford this delay and I know the state can’t,” the governor concluded. “We have a lot to do to rebuild our economy and that means building a transportation system now that will get people, goods and services to where they need to go safely and efficiently in the future.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Transportation
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