OLYMPIA — It’s going to be possible to catch some sun this summer on board the Tokitae state ferry.
And, if all goes well, Community Transit might be able to shave time off the commute for a few of its bus riders.
Those are two outcomes of a supplemental transportation budget approved this week by state lawmakers and sent to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee for his expected signature. While the governor applauded the entire package, he can cut out provisions he doesn’t like.
It’s unlikely he’ll object to steering $48,000 to the Washington State Ferries to open the sun deck on the Tokitae for 10 hours a day on weekends in the summer season.
Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano Island, requested the funds be included.
“Our ferries are a big tourist attraction. It absolutely enhances the trip,” he said. “It’s a pleasant ride.”
The money will pay for two additional ferry workers that the U.S. Coast Guard requires for each sailing when the area is accessible to the public, said Hadley Romero, strategic communications manager for the ferries.
If there’s enough money, the state also will open the sun deck Thursdays and Fridays from mid-June to mid-September. That’s what happened in 2015, she said.
Another item cobbled into the budget could pare as much as 10 minutes off the morning commute for riders on Community Transit and Sound Transit buses.
The budget directs the state Department of Transportation to harden a 1.6-mile stretch of shoulder on southbound I-5 between the Lynnwood Transit Center and Mountlake Terrace Transit Center freeway station. It would result in a 10-foot wide shoulder to the left of the carpool lane.
When completed, buses would be allowed to use the shoulder under certain conditions.
Traffic in the carpool lane must be moving at 35 mph or slower and the bus driver must believe using the shoulder would save time, said Martin Munguia, spokesman for Community Transit. The choice to use that lane would rest with the driver, he said.
“We have been working with WSDOT for about two years on ways to get transit moving on I-5,” he said.
There are some costs involved, such as striping and increased maintenance. Lawmakers directed the department to cover them within existing resources.
Also included in the budget are:
$1.5 million to prepare an interchange justification report for the U.S. 2 trestle where Highway 204 and 20th Street SE feed into it in the westbound direction. This in-depth analysis is a precursor to an actual project to redo the interchange. Once completed, the state can begin the process of finding money and carrying out required environmental reviews.
Money for a study on how to widen and improve travel on Highway 522 between Maltby and the Snohomish River bridge. Funds will come from $1 million allotted to the state’s corridor sketch program.
$5 million to cover higher costs of designing the new state ferry terminal in Mukilteo.
A study of traffic and access issues where the Interurban trail and Highway 104 intersect in Edmonds. This analysis must include consideration of an overpass to make it safer for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross the highway.
Combining the design and building of two projects in Everett and Marysville into one undertaking. One project is the building of a new interchange on I-5 at Highway 529 at the south end of Marysville and the other is to harden the shoulder of northbound I-5 from Marine View Drive to State Route 528.
The change, spelled out in a one-paragraph proviso, could save time and money.
“We made a little headway. We didn’t expect that,” said Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, a member of the House Transportation Committee.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Learn more
You can review projects and read the budget online at http://fiscal.wa.gov/BudgetTBills.aspx
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