MALTBY – Under the scorching sun, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon on Wednesday signed a measure that will put the roads portion of a $17.8 billion roads and transit tax measure on the ballot in November.
“This is focused on systemwide improvements in our most congested areas in Snohomish County,” Reardon said.
Called the Regional Transportation Investment District, the road portion proposes to spend $7 billion on widening highways in the region. A total of $1.5 billion would be earmarked for Snohomish County projects.
Sound Transit 2, the transit side of things, would spend $10.8 billion on expanding light rail throughout the region, including $1.45 billion extending it to south Everett in Snohomish County.
Reardon said the package will build on gas tax hikes adopted by the Legislature in 2003 and 2005. He said the three tax packages are needed to offset decades of failing to move traffic in the fast-growing region.
Index: Lumber spill blocks U.S. 2
A load of spilled lumber blocked the eastbound lane of U.S. 2 east of Index for a few hours Wednesday after a semi-truck overturned.
No one was injured in the early morning accident, Washington State Patrol trooper Kirk Rudeen said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
State transportation crews spent the morning removing the wood from the road. Traffic was alternated in the westbound lanes for about three hours.
Arlington: Man seriously hurt in accident
A man was seriously injured in a head-on traffic accident Wednesday morning, Arlington police said.
The man, 49, apparently crossed the centerline of 172nd Street NE near 67th Avenue NE and crashed into an oncoming pickup truck towing an empty auto hauler at about 7:40 a.m., said Kristin Banfield, a city spokeswoman.
The car slid under the auto trailer and the rescue crews had to cut the man out, she said. The man was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.
Police closed the road for several hours during the investigation.
Snohomish: Driver of motorcycle injured
A motorcycle rider received back and neck injuries when he lost control and went off the road Wednesday, officials said.
The man, about 54, was taken to Providence Everett Medical Center, Snohomish County Fire District 4 Battalion Chief Mike Gatterman said.
Crews were called to Old Snohomish-Monroe Highway near Tresti Road about 3:40 p.m., he said.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
From Herald staff reports
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