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Granite Falls bypass
included in final transportation budget,
sent to governor
The supplemental transportation budget, which was reported to be given
up for dead, came to life today as negotiators worked out a compromise
which includes $1.8 million for the proposed Granite Falls bypass.
The inclusion of the project in the hours before the Legislature
adjourned on its final day was the highlight of the 60-day session for
Rep.
Kirk Pearson and
Dan Kristiansen.
"This project was our top priority this year. We knew that something had
to be done soon to begin to alleviate the congestion problems plaguing
downtown Granite Falls," said Pearson, R-Monroe. "Although the project
was originally stripped out of the transportation budget in the Senate,
I had a feeling that the final bill would include the Granite Falls
bypass. It is just too important of an issue that needed to be addressed
this year."
"We’ve been working this issue for months, and then going back and forth
on this all day, trying to make sure the project was included in the
final supplemental transportation budget. First it was in. Then it was
out. Then it was in again. And finally, I heard it was out," said
Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. "I was having to give bad news back to county
and city officials even as late as this afternoon. And then it was
passed from the Senate floor and we heard the project was added back in
at the last minute. So it was a pleasant surprise to all of us that the
negotiators had finally come to terms on this project. This is a long
awaited victory for this community."
The funding allocated in the final supplemental transportation budget is
expected to go toward purchase of land necessary to obtain right of way
to construct a bypass around the city of Granite Falls.
"The majority of gravel being used in highway construction projects in
that part of the state is coming out of the Granite Falls area. The
nickel transportation funding package that was approved last year is
just going to further increase the gravel flow through Granite Falls,"
added Kristiansen. "It makes sense to buy the property for the bypass
while we have the revenue to do it and keep the process moving towards
construction of this important transportation improvement."
"Traffic is continually backing up on Stanley Street and through the
four-way stop, creating safety problems in downtown Granite Falls," said
Pearson. "This will move the gravel trucks to the outside of town. It’s
a big victory and I’m delighted for the people of Granite Falls that
this project will now become a reality."
The House approved the measure, 92-3, and sent it to the governor before
adjourning the 2004 legislative session.
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For more information, contact:
John Sattgast, Senior
Information Officer - (360) 786-7257
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