OLYMPIA — How does a second ferry for travel between Keystone and Port Townsend sound?
Or a wider Highway 522? Maybe money to make U.S. 2 safer and prepare for a new bridge across the Snohomish River on Highway 9?
Those all could happen if the Senate has its way in the state’s next transportation budget.
Democratic and Republican senators jointly released a proposal Wednesday that fulfills much of the wish lists of Snohomish and Island counties.
“I think we did well,” said Snohomish County Council Chairman Mike Cooper. “To have Highway 9 and Highway 522 both addressed, that’s very good news.”
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon echoed the sentiment.
“We’re very pleased. These are needed transportation projects that have been on the books for some time and would stay on the books without this package,” he said.
Overall, the Senate plan charts nearly $8 billion in spending on roads, rail, buses and ferries as well as the Transportation Department and State Patrol in the two-year budget beginning July 1.
Of that sum, $4.3 billion will be poured into 400 projects in the 2009-11 biennium. Adding in federal stimulus dollars, nearly $5 billion will be spent on roads and transit in the next 28 months.
The Senate Transportation Committee is set to hold a hearing today on the proposed budget.
Meanwhile, the Senate is struggling with its budgets for government operations and capital construction. Senate leaders planned to put them out today but now say it will be Monday.
The hang-up is with the operating budget, where Senate and House Democrats are negotiating how to close a projected $9 billion gap between what they want and must pay for and the amount of revenue available.
Wednesday’s release of the transportation budget evoked surprise and smiles in Olympia and in Snohomish and Island counties.
Lawmakers didn’t expect to see money set aside for building a second Island Home-class ferry for travelers between Port Townsend and Keystone on Whidbey Island.
Work is under way on a 64-vehicle vessel for that route with a delivery date of June 2010. The proposed second boat would arrive in August 2011 and restore service to levels enjoyed in 2007, before the state pulled its aging Steel Electric-class boats off the run because of safety concerns.
Looking further ahead, senators want two additional Island Home-class boats built between 2011 and 2013.
“We believe four really does make sense. It will make sure we have boats that are ready for use,” said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, who as chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee wrote the plan.
The plan is at odds with Gov. Chris Gregoire, who included only enough money for one ferry in the transportation budget she issued in December.
Under the budget, ferry fares would increase no more than 2.5 percent, the run from Anacortes to Sydney, B.C., would be preserved and a ferry reservation system will be studied and likely tried out in 2010 on the Edmonds-Kingston run.
Next week, the House will put out its transportation plan, and ferry building will be part of it.
“It seems to be the consensus, and I am encouraged by that, that everyone recognizes we’ve got to restore service on that run,” said Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton.
Haugen also recognized the need for more safety improvements on U.S. 2. She included $2 million to match the sum in the recently enacted federal budget.
With Highway 522, it’s a matter of keeping a promise, she said.
Many rely on Highway 522 to reach jobs in King County. The importance of the highway, one of the only north-south routes in the area, was underscored this year when floods shut down Highways 9 and 203 and made 522 the alternative route, causing huge bumper-to-bumper backups.
The $176.3 million project will widen the highway to four lanes between the Snohomish River and the city of Monroe and build a new bridge across the river.
Funds were pledged from the nickel-a-gallon gas tax increase approved in 2003, but the project’s been delayed several times since then. It is now on track to go to bid in December.
Gregoire recommended putting the project off another two years. Snohomish County legislators and community leaders responded with a concerted push to get the Legislature to keep it on schedule.
“This is exciting,” Monroe Mayor Donnetta Walser said. “This has been a very dangerous highway for a long time. We desperately need this.”
Another delay could put the entire project in doubt and likely force new studies on replacing the bridge, she said.
Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish, said his “biggest concern” this session was “saving that 522 money.” He said the leaders must remain vigilant so it does not get stripped away before final adoption.
Two other Snohomish County wishes were answered in the Senate budget dealt with studies:
Snohomish city manager Larry Bauman said the project would ease congestion on city streets that are used by commuters trying to get around backups on the highway.
“Something needs to be done to improve the trestle,” said state Sen. Jean Berkey, D-Everett. “It’s becoming increasingly dangerous and congested. We can’t rely on temporary fixes. This money will help us develop a long-term strategy.”
Reporters Debra Smith, Noah Haglund and Bill Sheets contributed to this report.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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