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Ericksen pleased WSDOT
shares his priorities for 42nd District roads
State
Rep. Doug Ericksen
today lauded the state Department of Transportation’s efforts to work
with elected officials to meet Washington’s transportation needs for the
2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. Ericksen said he was pleased the WSDOT
transportation system improvement plan recently distributed included the
priorities he proposed at a September work session with local elected
officials.
“I was very pleased to see the department had included my suggestions,”
said Ericksen, R-Ferndale. “This is an excellent start to the planning
process. The department’s work plan reflects our local priorities and we
have a terrific framework in place to help us move forward.
“The planning we do now is
critical to Whatcom County’s success as an Olympic gateway,” said
Ericksen. “We have such a fantastic opportunity to show the world our
incredible region – but we need to plan accordingly to maximize the
opportunity."
Ericksen said the influx
of Olympic-related tourists will boost the local economy, but the level
to which Whatcom County benefits from the games will, in large part,
depend on how well state, federal and local officials work together and
plan for the onslaught of tourists traveling through Northwest
Washington.
“The better we prepare to
serve as hosts to Olympic spectators, the more we stand to gain,” said
Ericksen. “I stand ready to provide the leadership needed to make sure
Whatcom County is ready to seize this opportunity and has the
infrastructure to make sure traffic flows freely.”
Ericksen said he is
particularly pleased the Guide Meridian project (SR 539) between
Bellingham and Canada and other border crossings in Whatcom County are
listed as top WSDOT priorities.
“This is great news for
our region,” said Ericksen. “Traffic is difficult enough at the border
crossings on holiday weekends imagine how difficult it would be with the
number of tourists we will have coming through our neck of the woods.
Now there’s a plan in place to rectify the situation.” said Ericksen.
Ericksen serves as ranking
Republican on the House Transportation Committee. He says he is
committed to working with state, federal and Whatcom County leaders to
meet 42nd District transportation needs.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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