House Transportation Chair Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, and Senate Transportation Chair Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, held a news conference today announcing Move Ahead Washington — a 16-year, $16 billion proposed transportation package.
This package would invest $3 billion in transit and roughly $4 billion for new road and highway projects, including backfilling projects that are underway such as the Gateway Program and I-405.
The package includes $3 billion for preservation and maintenance of roadways, $2.4 billion for culvert removals, and $1.3 billion for nonmotorized projects and programs.
The package includes $1.6 billion for ferries and $150 million to advance ultra-high-speed rail.
“Move Ahead Washington is a promise to put Washingtonians first. It’s future oriented while still dealing with realities people face today. It reflects what people told us what they wanted to see in this package,” said Representative Jake Fey.
Primary revenue sources include $5.4 billion from the state's Climate Commitment Act, $3.4 billion from the federal transportation reauthorization, $2 billion from the general fund, and $2 billion from a gasoline export tax.
“This is a real transformative package. It’s not doing the business the way we’ve done it before. It’s not about a long list of projects. It’s about taking care of what we have and also being very careful that we do a much better job of supporting disadvantaged communities,” said Representative Fey.
Senator Liias encouraged people to provide feedback on the proposal, noting the first public hearing on the bill will be held this Thursday by the Senate Transportation Committee.
“This is our first draft. We invite Washingtonians from every corner of the state to send us their thoughts and let us know how we’re doing. This is intended to make life better for Washingtonians and it is intended to invest in every community,” said Sen. Liias.
More information:
Highway and Capital Project List
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Project list
News conference announcing the package