Local transportation wishes intact

Published 11:30 pm Friday, April 24, 2009

OLYMPIA — Nearly every transportation wish coming out of Snohomish County is fulfilled in a spending plan expected to be voted on today in the state Senate.

Money for building two ferries for travel between Whidbey Island and Port Townsend, helping Community Transit buy double-decker buses and widening a stretch of Highway 522 are in the transportation budget now before the Legislature.

There is also funding to keep alive hope for a new ferry terminal in Mukilteo, to start planning for a bridge across the Snohomish River on Highway 9 and for congestion-easing projects on U.S. 2 through Everett.

“It turned out well,” said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-­Camano Island, who as chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee played a central role in writing the budget.

Overall, the budget lays out $7.5 billion in spending in the next two years on roads, buses, ferries and bridges as well as the Department of Transportation and Washington State Patrol.

Of that total, about $4.7 billion is designated for capital projects. When $500 million in federal stimulus dollars are added on, the state expects to undertake more than 400 projects through mid-2011.

“In the short term we will put people to work,” said Rep. Marko Liias, D-Mukilteo. He estimated the budget will sustain or create 49,000 jobs.

One major victory is $33.6 million to add two lanes on Highway 522 between the Snohomish River and Monroe and build a new bridge across Snohomish River. The $182.4 million project, ­postponed in two previous budgets, will be paid off and finished in the 2011-13 budget.

The proposed budget pays for constructing two 64-car Island Home-class vessels. This will restore ferry service on the ­Keystone-Port Townsend route to levels enjoyed in 2007 before the state pulled its aging Steel ­Electric-class boats off the run because of safety concerns.

Mukilteo is not guaranteed a new ferry terminal but does gain at least another year to try to make it happen. There is $3.25 million for archaeological work needed to learn if the proposed site can be used.

Transit service had been a major point of difference between the two chambers. Senators approved $40 million in grants to transit agencies while the House put up $15 million; they compromised at $33 million.

Community Transit, Everett Transit and Island Transit would each receive aid under the proposed budget.

But it does not provide Sound Transit with a $5 million grant for express bus service between Everett and Seattle.

If there is a bittersweet element in the spending plan it is on U.S. 2.

There is $9.2 million allotted for safety improvements. House and Senate transportation leaders desired more but learned the Department of Transportation didn’t have projects planned on which to spend it, Haugen said.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.