Dear friends and neighbors,
In last year’s transportation revenue package, I was able to secure funding for a new interchange at Highway 18 and I-90. Congestion at this location is maddening, and this project will go a long way toward speeding up the flow of traffic. However, completion of this project is still a few years out.
In order to provide some traffic relief at this location, in the near future, I am partnering with the Washington State Patrol and Washington State Department of Transportation to close the nearby weight station and relocate it east of the Cascade Mountains. This is something the Washington State Patrol supports and which will do a lot to improve traffic flow. Additionally, if we do this now, we will lower the cost of the interchange project in the long run, making this a practical and cost effective proposal.
I am also working hard to secure $100,000 in this year’s supplemental transportation budget for the city of North Bend to repave roads. North Bend hosts a regional truck stop which greatly benefits the state of Washington and our economy. However, the heavy truck traffic caused by this station has caused significant road damage.
Providing state dollars to fix these roads is the right thing to do. I believe local communities and the state should work together. If a city hosts one of the state’s truck stops, the state should pitch in to fix the roads.
Sincerely,
