WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Statement from Rep. Carol Gregory on the proposed current-law state Transportation Budget

“I’m pleased that the transportation budget released this week by House Transportation Chair Rep. Judy Clibborn provides funding for the state to make substantial progress on, and in some cases complete, more than a dozen significant transportation projects in the 30th legislative district. Improving the I-5/SR 161/SR 18 interchange is the largest single project, and it will also be the most noticeable to motorists. But many other projects are also included, projects that will help with traffic flow, ease the congestion that accompanies our growth as a region, make mobility easier for transit riders, and reduce traffic noise in our neighborhoods.

“As a school-board member and former teacher, and as a grandmother of public-school students in Federal Way, I’m especially happy to see $1.5 million earmarked for the Safe Routes to School in our district.  The beneficiaries of the current project will be the students at Federal Way’s Sacajawea Middle School.  Providing students with a safe alternative to riding a school bus or being driven to and from school by adults is a smart and worthwhile investment.

“I hope my fellow legislators will unite for a quick approval of this current-law budget, so we can turn our attention to the more difficult task of planning, and paying for, the transportation infrastructure we’ll need 10, 20 or more years in the future.”