News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 16, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Locke celebrates the completion of state’s first FAST corridor

PORT OF TACOMA – Gov. Gary Locke today celebrated the opening of the first of 15 FAST projects to be completed in Washington state. The project, the Port of Tacoma Road overpass, will hasten the flow of trucks in and out of the port.

The governor noted that this project only proves to illustrate the need for the Legislature to pass a comprehensive transportation package so that similar, badly needed projects, can be built elsewhere in the state. The safety of motorists and the state's economy depend on it.

FAST Corridor is an acronym for Freight Action Strategy for the Seattle-Tacoma Corridor. It is a $400 million, six-year program to build 15 road/rail overpasses and underpasses from Tacoma to Everett.

Locke participated in dedication ceremonies for the overpass with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Representatives Norm Dicks and Adam Smith, state Representatives Ruth Fisher and Maryann Mitchell, state Department of Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald, Port of Tacoma Executive Director Andrea Riniker and Port of Tacoma Commissioner Connie Bacon.

“Thanks to many of you here today, we have an overpass that improves the efficiency of our road and rail network,” Locke said. “That means better and safer traffic flow for trucks, trains and commuters alike.”

“Our economic future hangs on whether road, bridge, ferry and freight mobility projects are built,” the governor continued. “The FAST corridor casts in bold relief the value of efficient transportation. It is not an urban vs. rural issue or an Eastern Washington vs. the Puget Sound region issue. It is a one Washington issue.”

“An effective transportation system is the centerpiece of our state’s economic health,” Locke emphasized.

“I will continue to work with the business community and organized labor to pass congestion-relief solutions that truly get us moving again,” Locke noted.

“We have an obligation to ensure that transportation efforts like the FAST corridor continue, despite the impasse in the Legislature,” the governor said. “There are desperately needed transportation projects, like this one, required across this region and our state.”

“You’ve led by example with the Port of Tacoma Road overpass,” Locke concluded. “You’ve more than done your part. Now it’s up to lawmakers to step up and hit one out of the park – because the future of our state is simply too important to ignore.”

Related Links:
- Port of Tacoma Road Overpass Project
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Washington State Legislature
- U.S. Sen. Patty Murray
- U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks
- U.S. Rep. Adam Smith
- Washington State Rep. Maryann Mitchell
- Washington State Rep. Ruth Fisher


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