Phillips: House transportation budget reneges on voter-approved light rail plan

March 31, 2009

Summary

State threatens to delay light rail, withhold funding for key transit projects

Story

“The Washington State House of Representatives transportation budget is out of touch with the priorities of regional voters who five months ago overwhelmingly supported building light rail between Seattle, Bellevue and Redmond.

“While the people of this region are eager to move forward with building light rail and leave behind the endless debating and delays of the past, legislators continue to throw up roadblocks that thwart the will of voters and delay light rail.

“It is unacceptable that the House budget includes a proviso that prevents the state from signing the East Link light rail environmental impact statement or negotiating with Sound Transit over use of the I-90 center roadway for light rail. This proviso must be removed, and light rail must be allowed to move forward without delays that drive up costs and keep commuters stuck in traffic.

“The House transportation budget also fails to keep the state’s commitment to fund its share of two-way HOV lanes on I-90, which are necessary to move forward with light rail. Further, the House’s transportation budget skips over Regional Mobility Grant funding for Sound Transit, even though Sound Transit had three of the five highest-rated projects in the state.

“It’s time for state legislators to wake up to the will of the people and make a real commitment to transit funding.”