Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 29, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The governor made his comments at a noontime briefing with Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald at the SR 18 safety improvement project near Covington. Rep. Jack Cairnes (R-47), Covington Mayor Pat Sullivan, Kent Mayor Jim White, Maple Valley Mayor Laurie Iddings, Covington City Manager Andy Dempsey, Maple Valley City Manager John Starbard, Covington City Councilmen Mark Lanza, Tim Goddard and Wayne Snoey also attended the briefing.
“I am happy to report that we are bringing this project in on time and on budget,” Locke said. Noting that portions of SR 18 carry up to 5,000 more cars per day now than it did in 1997, the governor highlighted improvements including widening SR 18 from two lanes to four, adding truck-climbing lanes, constructing new interchanges and creating a wide median to separate traffic.
“Many in the Puget Sound region know this is a dangerous stretch of road,” Locke said. “Despite the risks, Highway 18 is a popular route for truckers, commuters and vacationers as they attempt to bypass other clogged highways. That is, until they have to stop behind a long line of traffic waiting for an accident or congestion to clear.”
“This project is a great start to solving these problems,” Locke said. “However, we need at least $140 million to fund the construction and widening of SR 18 all the way to Interstate 90. Otherwise, this project will have fallen short of its goals of improving safety, increasing capacity and reducing congestion.”
Locke praised recent legislative approval of a transportation reform bill, calling the reforms “critical steps toward enacting regional and statewide fixes to our transportation mess.”
“A healthy economy depends on a transportation system that works – one that moves people, goods and services safely and efficiently around Washington,” Locke said. “Without transportation improvements, our state’s prospects for economic recovery and continued vitality are at much greater risk.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Transportaion
- WSDOT Projects: SR 18, Corridor From Auburn to I-90
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 29, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Locke cites improved safety and efficiencies to support transportation plan
COVINGTON – Noting that continued improvements to State Route 18 are needed to reduce congestion and make the road safer, Gov. Gary Locke today urged legislative action on regional and statewide transportation plans.The governor made his comments at a noontime briefing with Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald at the SR 18 safety improvement project near Covington. Rep. Jack Cairnes (R-47), Covington Mayor Pat Sullivan, Kent Mayor Jim White, Maple Valley Mayor Laurie Iddings, Covington City Manager Andy Dempsey, Maple Valley City Manager John Starbard, Covington City Councilmen Mark Lanza, Tim Goddard and Wayne Snoey also attended the briefing.
“I am happy to report that we are bringing this project in on time and on budget,” Locke said. Noting that portions of SR 18 carry up to 5,000 more cars per day now than it did in 1997, the governor highlighted improvements including widening SR 18 from two lanes to four, adding truck-climbing lanes, constructing new interchanges and creating a wide median to separate traffic.
“Many in the Puget Sound region know this is a dangerous stretch of road,” Locke said. “Despite the risks, Highway 18 is a popular route for truckers, commuters and vacationers as they attempt to bypass other clogged highways. That is, until they have to stop behind a long line of traffic waiting for an accident or congestion to clear.”
“This project is a great start to solving these problems,” Locke said. “However, we need at least $140 million to fund the construction and widening of SR 18 all the way to Interstate 90. Otherwise, this project will have fallen short of its goals of improving safety, increasing capacity and reducing congestion.”
Locke praised recent legislative approval of a transportation reform bill, calling the reforms “critical steps toward enacting regional and statewide fixes to our transportation mess.”
“A healthy economy depends on a transportation system that works – one that moves people, goods and services safely and efficiently around Washington,” Locke said. “Without transportation improvements, our state’s prospects for economic recovery and continued vitality are at much greater risk.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Department of Transportaion
- WSDOT Projects: SR 18, Corridor From Auburn to I-90
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