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New proposed federal funding
for Alaskan Way Viaduct not contingent on recent state gas tax increase
A state legislator is
questioning why some federal lawmakers are suggesting new proposed
federal dollars for the Alaskan Way Viaduct hinge on future matching
funds from the 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase.
The 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas
tax increase passed in close votes in the 2005 Legislature and was
signed into law by the governor.
“The funding for the
Alaskan Way Viaduct in the new federal transportation bill is simply not
dependent on the 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase as some lawmakers
are claiming,” said
Rep. Doug Ericksen, House Republican Floor Leader.
“It’s careless to portray and link the two in this way. It’s important
that people understand all the facts on this very important issue.”
Today the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., passed a $286.4
billion transportation bill that earmarks around $220 million over the
next six years to Washington state for replacing the Alaskan Way
Viaduct.
In order to receive the
funding, the state is required to match at least 20 percent of the $220
million. Ericksen, R-Ferndale, believes this has already been done
through funding earmarked for the Alaskan Way Viaduct from the
previously enacted nickel (5 cent) transportation package that passed in
2003.
“The bottom line is our congressional lawmakers should be able to secure
federal funding for Washington transportation projects without playing
politics and creating fears about a proposed ballot measure to repeal
the gas tax,” said Ericksen, former ranking Republican on the House
Transportation Committee. “Some of our federal lawmakers are making
doomsday predictions in order to gain funding for a project that neither
has a clear plan nor is ready for construction.”
Around $2 billion is
allocated to the Alaskan Way Viaduct from the 9.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax
increase. Two primary options being considered for the Alaskan Way
Viaduct are tearing it down and replacing it with a tunnel, or replacing
the old one with a new one. A tunnel is estimated to cost more than $4
billion. A replacement is estimated to cost $2.7 to $3.1 billion.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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