Transit & Roads Ballot Proposal Endorsed by Environmental and Business Organizations
Published on Washblog on August 1, 2007 by Noemie Maxwell [Update: 7/23/07: An environmental organization not on record as supporting this plan is the Cascade Chapter of the Sierra Club. For example: Sierra Club Calls for Transportation Plan with Less Global Warming.]

Poll at end of story

A coalition of major Washington environmental organizations announced its endorsement last Thursday for a roads and transit proposal that will appear on November's ballot in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.  This 20-year, multi-billion plan for the three counties would result in the largest expansion of transit in Washington's history.  The roads portion of the package, rather than simply creating new miles of highway, focuses on safety and improved connections and mobility.  Overall, the plan would relieve the worst choke-points in the three counties and allow Washington to catch up with years of deferred investments in transportation that have left us struggling to deal with the growth in our population and economy.  According to the Roads & Transit site, the plan unifies investments in "highways, light- and commuter-rail, HOV lanes, park-and-ride lots, and express and local bus service." A recent Elway Poll indicates that it has a good shot at voter approval in November. Here's the link to the transit plan:  Sound Transit 2.  Here's the link to the roads and bridges plan: Blueprint for Progress.

The RTID/ST* proposal pulls together elements that in past transportation plans in Washington were often pursued at separate times and in separate measures, creating voter hesitancy or inefficiencies.  This comprehensive approach makes it much stronger -- both functionally and in terms of gaining organizational and voter support.  The plan would would create better linkage and coordination in existing and new infrastructure, including improvements funded by the recent gas tax increase.  Major stakeholders who have sometimes in the past worked at cross-purposes in transportation projects -- for example different regions or environmental and business interests -- hammered out their differences on this one because it includes "must-have" elements for each of them.  This plan represents years of technical studies and negotiations.  It's a major step forward in improving the quality of life and economy in Washington.  Here's last Thursday's press release from the environmental coalition:

Environmental Organizations Endorse Roads and Transit Package
Largest Expansion of Transit in History of Washington State

Washington state - Today a slate of leading environmental organizations announced their endorsements of Roads and Transit.   The package will provide more transportation options while improving our quality of life and the environment.  The organizations announcing their endorsement are: Transportation Choices Coalition, Washington Conservation Voters, Futurewise, Environment Washington, Tahoma Audubon, and Washington Environmental Council.

With the passage of the joint ballot this fall, voters will give regional transit the biggest boost in state history bringing new light rail, improved service and more transit to Snohomish, King and Pierce counties.   "This is a groundbreaking expansion of transit - the largest ever in the state.  It is a once in a generation opportunity to change the way we move people and goods," said Jessyn Farrell, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition.

Roads & Transit creates transportation choices for people to get out of their cars by:

• Building an additional 50 miles of light rail to connect Bellevue, Redmond's Overlake area, Mercer Island, Northgate, Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Alderwood, the 164th Street/Ash Way area, Des Moines, Federal Way and Tacoma
• Expanding Sounder commuter rail service
• Expanding bus and regional express bus service throughout the region
• Building the First Hill Street Car in Seattle
• Adding new bike lanes and pedestrian facilities
• Expanding and improving HOV lane

"Fifty new miles of light rail paired with strategic road investments will transform the way our region grows, helping us build livable communities and thriving urban areas," added Aisling Kerins, Associate Director, Futurewise. In addition to the transit projects, most of the roads projects in the package focus on safety and improve the movement of people and goods.

The Puget Sound area is expected to add another 1.6 million people by 2040. "This commitment to regional transit, combined with the focus on safety and maintenance of roads is good for the environment," said Kurt Fritts, Executive Director, Washington Conservation Voters. "We know that voters care about the environment and also want transportation solutions, so this package makes sense for the future of our state."

The majority of global warming emissions come from the transportation sector in Washington State .  New transit projects will help combat climate change and reduce global warming emissions by giving commuters additional choices. "We must give people better alternatives to driving if we have any chance of combating climate change," said Bill LaBorde of Environment Washington.

"This is a positive package for the future of our region," said Joan Crooks, Executive Director of Washington Environmental Council. "We're excited that such a strong commitment is being made to transit. And the majority of the roads projects are ones that can help increase safety and improve mobility for people and goods."

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