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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Monroe to vote on tax hike for road work By Yoshiaki Nohara Herald Writer MONROE -- Monroe voters on Nov. 4 are set to decide on a proposed tax hike to pay for key road project even as the sluggish economy continues to plague the community. The $7.2 million bond would be an important investment to ease the city's traffic woes, City Councilman Geoffrey Thomas said. The measure, which takes a simple majority to pass, is expected to cost $8.97 per month in property taxes for the owner of a $375,000 home. The payments are expected to last over the next 20 years. "It's the economy," Thomas said. "It's going to be a difficult choice for people." Combined with other revenue sources, the bond would pay for eight road projects, said Brad Feilberg, the city's engineering director. Those projects include spending $1.12 million to add a new roundabout at W. Main Street and Fryelands Boulevard and spending $1.93 million improving the intersection of Blueberry Lane and N. Kelsey Street. All the projects would be completed by 2010, city officials said. The eight projects are among 43 identified in the city's transportation plan. "We pretty much picked the top of the top," City Councilman John Stima said. The largest bond of its kind in the city's history should help people save money in the long run, Mayor Donnetta Walser said. People often get stuck in Monroe traffic, wasting their time and gas. "If we don't do something, it will only get worse because the cost will go up and traffic will not go away," Walser said. Three highways -- U.S. 2, Highway 522 and Highway 203 -- intersect in the city, carrying thousands of vehicles in and out of Monroe each day, Walser said. The state is responsible for improving those congested highways, she said. "This is not going to solve all of our issues," Walser said. "This is a great start if voters approve it." The other projects that the bond aims to fund are: Realign U.S. 2 intersection with Old Owen Road and E. Main Street. Cost: $870,000. Buy right-of-way and continue Tjerne Place from Chain Lake Road to Woods Creek Road. Cost: $1.7 million. Install signal at 179th Avenue SE and W. Main Street. Cost: $633,000. Install signal at W. Main Street and N. Kelsey Street. Cost: $790,000. Relocate west end of Oaks Street to align with new Tjerne Place. Cost: $1.5 million. Install signal at new intersection of Woods Creek Road with Tjerne Place and Oaks Street. Cost: $696,000. Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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