Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 13, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls for transportation vote next week

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today called on the Legislature to vote on a state transportation revenue package by next week.

Locke made his remarks at a morning press conference in Olympia and at an afternoon address to the Seattle Rotary.

The governor also said he would introduce legislation by the end of the week that outlines the reforms needed to make the state's transportation system more efficient. The legislation will include: formation of an accountability board; executive appointment of the Department of Transportation secretary; authorizing the contracting out of specific construction and engineering services and improving the process for determining regional prevailing wages for transportation projects.

The governor said he welcomed efforts by the Legislature to improve upon his transportation proposal that would end the traffic mess threatening Washington's economy.

"The Legislature must take action; modify my proposal if it chooses, but vote!" Locke said.

In his address to the Seattle Rotary, the governor said, "We all agree that the decisions we make today on transportation will determine Seattle's future and the legacy we leave to our children. Reliable transportation is the lifeblood of the Central Puget Sound-area-and we're choking to death."

He said everything, including such issues as prevailing wage and contracting out services, is on the transportation negotiating table.

The governor has proposed a $17.2 billion funding package to improve transportation over the next 10 years. The state would bear more than half the cost of statewide transportation improvements with urban areas, such as the Central Puget Sound-area, raising the balance of the cost with voter approval.

"The key issue is to avoid having the people in Colfax or Forks pay for most of the improvements in Seattle and Tacoma," he explained.

"A partnership of state and regional entities is the smart and fair way of breaking out of urban gridlock while we improve the entire state transportation system," Locke said.

In King County specifically, Locke said key projects include:

- A replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct
- A new state Route 520 bridge
- Major improvements on Interstate 405
- Completion of the link between Highway 509 and Interstate 5
- Completion of more I-5 southbound lanes

He also called for improving the state's passenger rail and ferry services as well as constructing freight mobility projects that will ensure the state's trade competitiveness by clearing the way for trucks and trains to get goods to ports and markets.

Locke also called for the completion of a second Tacoma Narrows Bridge as soon as possible. He said he and House Co-Speaker Frank Chopp have been discussing a new public-private financing alternative that could resolve the stalemate that has stalled legislative action.

"The second Tacoma Narrows Bridge must be addressed this session. I want a bridge built with the least delay and the lowest cost to those using it," Locke said.

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