{"id":2955,"date":"2024-04-25T09:13:14","date_gmt":"2024-04-25T16:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/pedersen\/?p=2955"},"modified":"2024-04-26T09:14:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T16:14:15","slug":"transportation-budget-keeps-sr-520-project-on-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/pedersen\/2024\/04\/25\/transportation-budget-keeps-sr-520-project-on-track\/","title":{"rendered":"Transportation budget keeps SR 520 project on track"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear friends and neighbors,<\/p>\n

Our legislative district includes some of the most complex transportation challenges in the entire state. During this year\u2019s legislative session, I worked to secure funding to keep the SR 520 project moving forward and make several other investments in transportation infrastructure to improve safety, mobility, economic vitality and sustainability.<\/p>\n

SR 520 project moving forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Declining gas tax revenues combined with recent high inflation left our 2023-25 transportation budget badly out of balance. Projects around the state are getting more expensive while revenues to pay the bills are declining. While we continue to work on long-term solutions, I am pleased to report that the Legislature approved additional funding to keep the SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project<\/a> on track. Rather than delaying and risking even greater cost increases, the budget ensures that the project will remain on schedule to be complete by 2031. The new Portage Bay Bridge will be seismically resilient, will improve bus and carpool travel, and will include an extension of the SR 520 Trail. It will also mean that 25 years of construction will come to an end for our neighbors in Montlake. Just this week, some of the 2 million pounds of dirt arrived for the future Montlake lid (pictured above).<\/p>\n

Statewide transportation improvements<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In 2022, the Legislature approved the greenest transportation package in state history. The $17 billion \u201cMove Ahead Washington\u201d package includes cleaner, more efficient transportation options along with funding for highway and bridge maintenance. With new revenue from the state\u2019s Climate Commitment Act<\/a>, the 16-year package is already providing historic investments in transit \u2013 including free transit for everyone 18 and younger, safer bike and pedestrian facilities, the removal of fish passage barriers along state highways, and the electrification of ferries and cars. Just this week, new rebates were announced<\/a> to help lower-income drivers afford electric vehicles.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s supplemental budget focused on maintaining that progress while also strengthening our state\u2019s ferry system and addressing growing safety concerns on our roads. Here is a look at a few of the new investments in this year\u2019s budget:<\/p>\n