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Kristiansen-Pearson bill
designating SR 9 as highway of statewide significance gains unanimous
approval
Legislation co-sponsored by
Rep. Dan Kristiansen and
Rep.
Kirk Pearson that would designate
State Route 9 from near Woodinville to the Canadian border as a “highway
of statewide significance” passed the House of Representatives today
unanimously.
House Bill 1433 would make improvement projects on State Route 9
eligible for 90 percent of revenue raised through a regional funding
package.
“This is a very important highway and most of it goes through the 39th
District. Our legislation moves Highway 9 up to a higher priority to
receive regional transportation investment district funds. It also moves
other highway improvement projects that adjoin State Route 9 in our
district to the top of the list,” said Pearson, R-Monroe. “This measure
would help to relieve major traffic congestion along this route and
improve safety for motorists, and it would do it much sooner than
originally planned.”
Two years ago, the Legislature authorized the creation of regional
transportation investment districts (RTIDs) and also allowed state
highways to be designated as “highways of statewide significance.” The
legislation also required that 90 percent of RTID revenues be spent on
improvements to highways of statewide significance.
“This legislation is crucial if we are to get the federal funding
necessary to complete our highway projects,” said Kristiansen,
R-Snohomish. “It’s also a boost to the entire RTID system, which is
proving to be so critical to improving transportation in our
communities.”
Many of the projects along State Route 9 are for widening and safety
improvements, noted the 39th District lawmakers. More attention will be
given to those projects on Highway 9 under the legislation passed today
in the House, they said.
The same measure passed the House last year. However, it failed to move
out of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee before the end
of the 2003 session. The bill once again moves to the Senate for its
consideration. Pearson and Kristiansen are hopeful that it will have a
better chance in the Senate this year.
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For more information, contact:
John Sattgast, Senior
Information Officer - (360) 786-7257
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