Sound Transit back in state budget after public outcry

April 11, 2009

Summary

Phillips raised alarm about state budget provisions that would have delayed East Link light rail, legislature revises budget to keep light rail on track

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips spoke out last week about potential delays to East Link light rail construction caused by the state reneging on its share of funding for the I-90 carpool lane project and a budget proviso that would block completion of the East Link environmental impact statement (EIS) and I-90 air right negotiations. Friday night, the state House reversed course to keep East Link on schedule by moving up funding for the I-90 carpool lane project and requiring that the state complete negotiations with Sound Transit by the end of the year about use of the I-90 center roadway.
 
“The public came forward and told legislators to let East Link move forward, and legislators listened,” said Phillips. “Voters were loud and clear last fall in saying that they want to build more light rail. This is the time for the state and region to unite behind that vision and make it happen, so we can get commuters out of traffic and our economy back on track.”
 
The House voted on two amendments to the transportation budget which help East Link light rail stay on track. One amendment replaces an earlier proviso that would have prevented the Washington State Department of Transportation from finalizing the East Link EIS or negotiating with Sound Transit for access to the I-90 center roadway until the Joint Transportation Committee completed an “asset assessment.” Instead, the amendment sets up a process and timeline for the state and Sound Transit to complete I-90 access negotiations by December 1, 2009. A second amendment moves up to this biennium $10.6 million for the state's share of the I-90 carpool lane project, allowing that project to continuing moving forward. The project, called R8A, adds carpool lanes in each direction to the I-90 outer roadway, allowing all-day two-way carpool and transit operations, and paving the way for light rail in the center roadway.