Washington State Governor Jay Inslee was in Tacoma Friday to urge lawmakers to approve a new round of transportation improvements and projects.

“There’s little we can do to grow our economy if we don’t address the fundamental need to provide businesses and workers with a reliable and efficient way to get people and products where they need to be,” said Inslee. “We also need to recognize that new investments must come with a new level of accountability. Legislators and members of the public want to be assured these projects are constructed as efficiently as possible and deliver real benefits.”

Inslee spoke during a visit with more than 90 community, business, labor and civic leaders at the Port of Tacoma and near the proposed State Route 509/State Route 167 Gateway project. Supporters say the project will significantly improve freight mobility for area businesses and connect the state’s largest ports to key distribution centers in King and Pierce Counties and to Eastern Washington.

Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) has proposed an $8.4 billion transportation package that Inslee said is the right first step. He asked those at today’s meeting to urge their lawmakers to move forward and work with Clibborn to pass a package this session.

“We have a great opportunity in the next two weeks to fill potholes, fix bridges, provide new transportation options and lay new pavement for people who are sick of sitting in traffic,” said Inslee. “Washington’s businesses rely on our roads, and so do Washington’s families. Let’s get this done.”