Gov. Chris Gregoire yesterday signed the 2008 supplemental transportation budget (House Bill 2878) to allow Washington to continue progress on three critical transportation goals: increase safety, improve maintenance and provide congestion relief.
The supplemental transportation budget includes funding to construct three new car ferries to serve the Port Townsend to Keystone route. These will join the three 144-car boats in the process of being designed. The design and construction of six boats nearly simultaneously is a first for the state’s ferry system in more than 30 years.
The transportation budget also keeps project delivery on track. The budget fully funds concrete barriers on Interstate 5 near Marysville. And it provides $14 million for improvements between Gold Bar and Monroe and centerline rumble strips between Monroe and Sultan to address immediate safety concerns on U.S. 2.
Other key items funded in the transportation budget include:
— A High Occupancy Toll (HOT) pilot project on SR 167 – a four-year pilot project that allows solo drivers to pay an electronic toll to use carpool lanes.
— SR 519 connection from the Port of Seattle to Interstate 90.
— Local road improvements near the Interstate 82 Valley Mall Boulevard interchange in Yakima.
— The Riverside Extension project, which will promote a more contained and campus-like area for students and faculty in Spokane’s University District, and will resolve safety concerns.
— An additional lane on I-5 near Maytown in Thurston County.
Gregoire vetoed nine sections of the supplemental transportation budget.
In addition, the governor signed legislation (House Bill 1773) establishing a consistent statewide policy to guide tolling decisions. The bill outlines the decision-making process for establishing toll facilities, provides direction on the use of toll revenue, and emphasizes the need for a simple and interoperable toll collection system.