Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs, of Lake Stevens, says his road legislation is needed to fund major projects around the state, including rebuilding the U.S. 2 trestle, seen here Jan. 15, near Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Democratic state Sen. Steve Hobbs, of Lake Stevens, says his road legislation is needed to fund major projects around the state, including rebuilding the U.S. 2 trestle, seen here Jan. 15, near Everett. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Is state ready for another massive transportation package?

A Lake Stevens lawmaker says a gas tax increase and a carbon fee could cover $16.6 billion of projects.

OLYMPIA — A Lake Stevens lawmaker is plowing ahead with an ambitious plan for raising billions of dollars to build new bridges, widen old highways and open up fish passages.

Democratic Sen. Steve Hobbs filed legislation Thursday for a 10-year, $16.6 billion package of transportation improvements largely paid for with a 6-cent hike in the gas tax and new fees on carbon emissions and development.

Hobbs, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, estimates that much money is needed to carry out major projects such as rebuilding the U.S. 2 trestle in Snohomish County, and to pay for removal of state-owned culverts that are blocking fish passages as required by the U.S. Supreme Court.

His plan also would pay Washington’s share of a new I-5 bridge across the Columbia River, widen Highway 522 between Maltby and the Snohomish River, and fulfill items on wish lists of lawmakers across the state.

He touts it as the most comprehensive response to the transportation and environmental demands of a growing population.

“This bill shows there is another way to address our infrastructure needs and environmental concerns responsibly,” he said.

Hobbs started crafting the plan last fall and the Senate transportation panel held a public hearing in January. Dozens of people expressed support for a package, including representatives of the cities of Everett and Lake Stevens, and Snohomish County.

“I was surprised at the amount of support both from those at the hearing and members that signed onto the bills,” he said.

The committee will take up the legislation next week, he said.

One of its most controversial components is a provision to maintain a ban on imposing a low carbon fuel standard in the state. The prohibition was an element of the 2015 transportation package known as Connecting Washington. This year, Gov. Jay Inslee and many Democratic lawmakers are pushing legislation to develop a requirement for production of gasoline with a lower content of carbon.

Hobbs’ plan — which he calls Forward Washington — would raise roughly $10 billion from two sources — a fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon emissions starting July 1, 2020, and a 6-cent increase in the gas tax this July.

Voters in November rejected an initiative to impose a similar-sized fee. Hobbs has said he thought some of the opposition was due to concerns on how the fee would escalate and how the money would be used.

“This fee is locked in at $15 per metric ton, most of which is dedicated toward environmental improvements, including recommendations made by the governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force,” he said in a statement. “Transportation is responsible for most of our state’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

In the plan, nearly $1 billion would come from a new statewide transportation impact fee imposed on construction of homes, commercial buildings and manufacturing sites.

Other pieces include increasing the electric vehicle fee by $200, boosting the sales tax levied on auto parts, bicycles and rental cars, and imposing a new 50-cent trip fee on for-hire vehicles. He’s also penciled in higher weight fees on vehicles and increasing the Washington State Ferries capital surcharge from 25 cents to 50 cents.

In the plan, $3.5 billion of carbon fee receipts are earmarked for removing state-owned culverts as required by a U.S. Supreme Court directive. The carbon fee is also used to convert existing ferries to run on electricity and curb pollution from stormwater run-off.

Receipts from the increase in gas tax and other fees are mostly steered toward roughly 80 small and large projects around the state and to bus, bike, freight and pedestrian programs.

There’s $1.49 billion to rebuild the westbound trestle of U.S. 2 and to redo the interchange of Highway 204 and 20th Street SE. His plan assumes the trestle will have four lanes of which two are general purpose and two are express toll lanes. A portion of money for the project would come from tolls.

He also has included money to widen a three-mile stretch of Highway 522 between Monroe and Maltby and construct a new grade-separated interchange at Paradise Lake Road. And there is money to widen a three-mile stretch of Highway 9 between 176th Street SE and Highway 96 and to use $470 million in toll receipts to have two toll lanes on I-405 between highways 522 and 527.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@herald net.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Percy Levy, who served 17 years for drug-related crimes, outside his new business Redemption Auto along Highway 99 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man, arrested on drugs, weapons charges, moved to federal detention

In addition to Percy Levy, U.S. marshals transferred a second suspect in the case to federal custody.

2025 Emerging Leader Anthony Hawley (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Anthony Hawley: Creating friendships and filling pantries

Since 2021, Hawley has increased donations to Lake Stevens Community Food Bank through fundraising and building donor relationships.

Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens council member announces reelection run

Gary Petershagen is seeking a third term on the council.

2025 Emerging Leader Megan Kemmett (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Megan Kemmett: Seeking solutions to any problem or obstacle

Executive director of Snohomish Community Food Bank overcomes obstacles to keep people fed.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.