Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2011 House Submits To Committee
2011 House Submits To Committee
Baird
SR-14, Gorge Safety This safety improvement will result in safer driving conditions along SR-14 $2,000,000
Improvements and reduce the number of property and injury accidents resulting from
unstable slopes. When Congress created the Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area, limits were place on the residential, commercial, and
agricultural growth in the region in order to ensure lasting protection of
the delicate ecology of the Gorge. While this has protected the natural
scenic elements of the Columbia River Gorge, it has severely limited
economic development by the local governments and there by limited
their ability to use local tax revenues for roadway improvements.
Therefore, the region is requesting federal funding be provided for SR-14
Safety Improvements.
I-5 Columbia River Funding will enable completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement, $2,000,000
Crossing Project securing the Record of Decision and initial preliminary engineering. The
CRC project will improve livability and sustainability of the project area
and the region by reducing congestion, increasing safety, improving air
quality and providing transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation
options.
CRC - New Starts Activities to be funded with this request include completion of $1,000,000
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), preliminary engineering (PE), start
final design (FD), and start right of way (RW) for the transit component of
the CRC project. The transit element is an approximate 3 mile extension of
light rail to Clark College in Vancouver from the Expo Center in North
Portland where the current MAX Yellow Line ends. To accommodate and
compliment this major addition to the region’s transit system, a variety of
additional improvements are also included in the project. These include
park-and-ride facilities in Vancouver, changes to C-TRAN local bus routes,
and expansion of the current TriMet light rail Ruby Junction maintenance
base in Gresham.
Kelso West Main The project focuses on a wide variety of outcomes. It will realign and $3,000,000
Realignment Project reconstruct West Main Street to cross over one block south to Catlin
Street to better align with SR 4 at Cowlitz Way westbound on Ocean Beach
Highway to the Washington coast. Turn lanes, proper turn radii, improved
signalization, added bicycle routes, and pedestrian accommodations using
context sensitive design will be included.Along with mitigation of
congestion and safety issues, the project will provide enhanced access to
the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds site, which is in the midst of a
redevelopment strategic planning process. The re-alignment will
significantly improve livability and walkability in the commercial core and
residential area of West Kelso while providing an excellent foundation for
redevelopment of the area. It will enhance potential not only for
commercial properties, but will encourage updated mixed land use
redevelopment opportunities.
Battle Ground - Old Federal Funds are requested to implement elements for the Old Town $250,000
Town Battle Ground Battle Ground revitalization district plan. The Old Town district is an area
Revitalization that has been identified in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. The project
will focus on streetscape improvements that will encourage pedestrian
use and circulation through safe pedestrian crossings, wide sidewalks,
street furniture, and other pedestrian amenities. The purpose of this
district is to reinforce its role as the historic center of Battle Ground’s
commercial, cultural and civic life.
Grace Avenue Funds would go to complete the first phase of the reconstruction of SE $1,200,000
Improvements – Grace Avenue. Improvements include widening the road, adding
Battle Ground sidewalks, street lighting, and bike lanes in addition to curbs and a strip
between the roadway and sidewalk. SE Grace Avenue connects to East
Main Street and provides a vital truck route necessary to serve the
trucking needs of the industrial companies located along this route such as
Andersen Plastics which currently is the largest private family wage
employer in Battle Ground. Currently, SE Grace Avenue is very narrow, and
is without sidewalks along a large portion of the roadway. These unsafe
conditions discourage travel on SE Grace Avenue, and as a result, hurt
businesses on E Main Street. The project intent is to increase truck access
to industrial companies and make travel safer for all modes of
transportation along SE Grace Avenue.
Centralia - Gold This is a cooperative project between the cities of Chehalis and Centralia $1,843,000
Street and National to rehabilitate the southbound multi-modal corridor between the cities. It
Avenue is the southbound road of a couplet that provides a critical link connecting
the commercial and historic districts of the cities. The corridor supports
significant local transit services, delivery trucks, school buses and
emergency responders. It is also a designated bicycle route, the point of
access for the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds and provides access to
the Amtrak railroad station in Centralia. The couplet is the only alternate
route to Interstate 5 on the east side between the two cities where the
majority of residents are located. It is used when Interstate 5 is closed due
to accidents or other conditions such as flooding. Gold/National has
deteriorated due to age, wear and tear and flood damage. Rehabilitation
will involve grinding portions of the road that are too deteriorated to
repair by paving alone and then repaving the entire length of the road.
Ferry Wahkiakum – The request is to fund construction of a new ferry vessel to serve the $4,015,000
Wahkiakum County interstate route between Puget Island, Washington and Westport, Oregon
on the lower Columbia River. The current ferry has been in service since
the early 1960’s. The new ferry would nearly double the capacity of the
existing ferry from 12 to 23 vehicles, would include provisions consistent
with the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, and
would also accommodate a much larger array of recreational and
commercial freight vehicles.
NE 137th Avenue The Northeast 137th Avenue Street Improvement project will complete 1 $1,500,000
Improvement Project mile of corridor upgrades through a rapidly developing portion of
- Vancouver Vancouver. NE 137th Avenue is a minor urban arterial corridor that runs
north/south for 6 miles through the core of east Vancouver and urban
Clark County. It ties together major arterials roadways and several of the
City’s largest current and future employment centers. When complete, the
roadway will include upgraded street and pavements, urban roundabouts
for traffic access and safety, bike lanes, sidewalks, low-maintenance
landscaping and sustainable storm water facilities.
Waterfront A $2,000,000 federal earmark would be used to construct overall access $2,000,000
Redevelopment improvements, including the extension of Grant and Esther Streets
Access Project connecting downtown Vancouver with the waterfront redevelopment
area. The overall project includes the reconstruction of about 1500 feet of
rail berm and trestle to accommodate street underpasses and upgraded
track on the main line; extension of Grant and Esther streets south
through the rail berm to redevelopment site; closure of 8th Street at-
grade rail crossings; reconstruction of 6th, Grant and 8th Streets to
provide continuity of surface street grid after closures and rail work.The
project will construct a fully integrated program of road and rail system
improvements to create two new under-crossings through the 30’ high
BNSF Mainline rail berm, and reconnect Vancouver to the Columbia River.
Once the access is created the total value of the private redevelopment on
the waterfront is estimated to total $1.3 billion over the next 15 years. The
$44,600,000 access project includes construction of two new grade-
separated BNSF main railway under-crossings as well as an extension of
the existing waterfront multi-use trail.
C-TRAN – Fourth Plan The Fourth Plain Bus Rapid Transit project will provide high frequency $3,000,000
Bus Rapid Transit service between residential and job centers along the Fourth Plain corridor
as well as connections to downtown Vancouver, the Vancouver Mall, and
will provide interstate transit access to employment and services in
Portland.The project will significantly enhance accessibility through the
creation of more convenient transportation options. The Fourth Plain BRT
will have reduced travel time and improved reliability due to fewer
stations and an exclusive guideway. High frequency BRT service will
provide connections between residential and job centers along the Fourth
Plain corridor as well as connections to downtown Vancouver and the
Vancouver Mall area, and will provide interstate transit access to
employment and services in Portland.
C-TRAN – Transit New hybrid electric vehicles will be used for fixed route service and $3,000,000
Vehicle Replacement paratransit vehicles are needed to provide mobility for eligible seniors and
persons with disabilities. C-TRAN provides transit services along several
key transportation corridors within Clark County and between Clark
County, Washington and Portland, Oregon, carrying more than 3 million
passenger trips annually. C-TRAN is committed to acquiring hybrid-diesel
electric vehicles to replace diesel vehicles. As such, emissions will be
reduced 90 percent compared buses operating using regular diesel.
Intercity Transit - Purchase six heavy duty hybrid diesel-electric propulsion transit buses to $3,240,000
Hybrid Buses Project replace aging equipment and support continuing transit service growth in
Lacey, Tumwater and Yelm and portions of surrounding Thurston County
and Pierce County.
Intercity Transit - Final project design and initial construction phase for renovation and $4,000,000
Maintenance and expansion of existing transit maintenance, operations and administrative
Operations Facility facility built in 1985. This project will create a facility capable of supporting
Expansion Project recent and anticipated future growth in Intercity Transit local services in
Thurston County and express service to Pierce County through 2035. The
existing facility currently operates beyond its design capacity and
expanding the facility enables greater efficiency at current service levels
and future growth of transit services. The project will provide the
maintenance and operations capacity to allow for continued growth in
Intercity Transit ridership.
Twin Transit Bus Scheduled replacement of three 30 ft buses used in intercity routes $874,000
replacement (three serving passengers in Centralia and Chehalis. The replacement of three
30 ft. buses) passenger buses will ensure the continuation of intercity services
attributing to 183,990 passenger trips annually. The current buses have
been in service for 15 years and are beyond their useful lief. Twin Transit,
a small transit agency, has insufficient reserve funds to purchase the buses
outright.
Pacific Transit Bus and van will be used to replace aged vehicles. One bus and one van. $336,000
Replacement of Bus As a rural transportation provider, they have to rely on State and Federal
and Van dollars for both operating and capital.
Longview Hybrid Recently, the citizens of Longview and Kelso voted to increase the PTBA $1,000,000
Transit Buses sales tax rate to enhance the level of public transit service. Service
enhancements may include more frequent buses, provide commuter-type
service within Longview/Kelso, expand routes to service the growing
unincorporated Lexington area nearby, increase coordination with inter-
city transportation providers, provide a commuter connection with public
transit in Vancouver, Washington, and other potential service
enhancements. In order to meet these expectations, the existing fleet of
eight buses will need to more than double, and the use of hybrid buses
will minimize the carbon footprint of expanding transit service. Adding
transit capacity will relieve congestion by giving commuters and residents
greater travel choices, and will improve the ability of low income residents
to find and retain employment and keep scheduled appointments. The use
of hybrid buses will reduce the carbon footprint created by the expanding
transit fleet. With the additional buses, transit service will be expanded
and ridership will increase on both the fixed routes and the paratransit
service.
NWR River S Bridge For the planning and design of a vehicle bridge. This first Request will fund $1,300,000
Replacement – a contract for the planning of the Project. Planning will ensure public
Ridgefield National involvement and wise, efficient use of taxpayers money. Once the
Wildlife Refuge planning occurs (FY2010) an additional Appropriation Request (2012 or 13)
will be submitted for funds to construct the Bridge onto the Refuge.
West Vancouver All funds will be used for construction of several shovel-ready project $5,000,000
Freight Access Project elements, each with individual benefits to the overall project. Those
– Port of Vancouver project elements include: rail storage infrastructure to accommodate unit
trains; relocation of bulk unloading facility to accommodate unit train
infrastructure; reconfiguration of port stormwater facility to
accommodate new rail infrastructure; grade separated new rail
connection from BNSF mainline; and grade separated new road access to
Terminal 5. All of the project elements are in the construction phase.
Federal funds will be allocated to those project elements which, when
coupled with other secured dollars, will be completed in 2011. All sources
of funding are being sought (port, private, local, state and federal).
West Olympia Access This request is for funding to complete an Interchange Justification Report $1,000,000
– Interchange (IJR). The IJR process, required by State and Federal policy, is a thorough
Justification Report analysis of a proposed project documenting the need to revise access to
US 101 in West Olympia. Components of the IJR include public outreach,
traffic analysis, environmental assessment (which includes various
discipline reports and identification of mitigation for impacts) and
preliminary design of the proposed project. Completion of the IJR
positions the City to formalize a project and apply for funding to complete
the design, right-of-way acquisition and construction of this important
transportation system improvement.
Centralia Flood This project is located on the Chehalis River in Lewis County. It includes $1,000,000
Control – Army Corps the cities of Centralia and Chehalis, as well as the Interstate 5 corridor. The
of Engineers project is designed to reduce flooding in urban areas and to protect the
Interstate 5 corridor.
Chehalis River Basin The Chehalis River basin covers over 2,600 square miles in southwest 1,020,000
Study – Army Corps Washington. It is the largest river basin in Washington State. The purpose
of Engineers of the study is to evaluate options for providing flood risk management,
and restoring wetlands and riparian habitats. Significant flooding in 2007
resulted in heavy damages to urban and rural areas of the Chehalis Basin
and closed Interstate 5 for four days. More investigation of flood risk
management is needed due to the 2007 Chehalis flooding. The authority
has the potential to identify measures to reduce flood risks in the more
rural parts of the basin along with ecosystem restoration.
Chelatchie Prairie This project will allow us to put heavy rail on the mainline for $4,000,000
Railroad Rail approximately 3 miles of our mainline from Fruit Valley at milepost 0.2
Rehabilitation – Clark east to just before 78th Street at approximately milepost 4.0. This amount
County is needed to replace the 85# rail to 115# or heavier and all related rail
accessories for safer operation and increased speed.
Rep. Adam Smith
Project Name: M Street Grade Separation Project, City of Auburn, $2,000,000
Explanation: This project will support acquisition of right-of-way and initial
construction of an underpass along M Street beneath the railroad lines. This is a good use
of taxpayer funds because it will improve the movement of goods and people to and from
the urban centers of Auburn, Kent, and Federal Way by increasing freight movement,
roadway capacity, and transportation efficiency.
Project Name: SR 518 and Des Moines Memorial Drive Interchange Improvement, City of Burien,
$750,000
Explanation: This project will complete preliminary design for the SR 518/Des Moines
Memorial Drive Interchange. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it furthers a
project that will provide full access to and from SR 518 and will enable the city of Burien
to attract commercial redevelopment.
Project Name: Triangle Project—I-5/SR 161 Left Turn Lane, City of Federal Way, $2,700,000
Explanation: This project will complete design, right-of-way acquisition and
construction of an additional northbound left-turn lane at the intersection of SR 161 at
South 356th Street. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because this segment, as well as
the entire Triangle Project, will improve the efficiency of vehicle and freight movement
between population centers, industrial sites, and the Port of Tacoma.
Project Name: Willis Street/Union Pacific Railroad Grade Separation, City of Kent, $1,500,000
Explanation: This project will construct approaches to the overpass and advance the
grade separation project on Willis Street over the railroad line. This is a good use of
taxpayer funds because a completed grade separation will allow freight and commuter
traffic to pass over the Union Pacific Rail line with a greater degree of efficiency and
safety.
Project Name: Thornton Ave & Stewart Road Intersection Improvement, City of Pacific, $959,400
Explanation: This project will complete the design, right-of-way acquisition, and final
construction of additional left turn pockets on Stewart Road and Thornton Avenue. This
is a good use of taxpayer funds because these enhancements will improve safety for
pedestrians, bicyclists, and commuters, while creating efficient turn lanes for freight
traffic in a designated freight corridor for the city of Pacific.
Project Name: Light Rail Extension from Sea-Tac Airport to South 200th Street in the
City of SeaTac, Sound Transit, $3,000,000
Explanation: This project will be used for right-of-way acquisition and final design
activities for the establishment of a light rail line extension from Sea-Tac Airport to the
City of SeaTac. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will establish an
important new public transport connection for citizens and businesses located in the City
of SeaTac to the regional light rail system that now connects Sea-Tac Airport with
downtown Seattle.
Project Name: Puyallup River Rail Bridge Improvement Project, Tacoma Public Utilities DBA Tacoma Rail,
$2,070,000
Explanation: This project will rehabilitate the Tacoma Rail Puyallup River Bridge by
removing and replacing deteriorating and corroded steel components, and replacing old
and worn rail with new heavier rail. This is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will
improve the Puyallup River Bridge, that is an essential link to major rail interchanges
with Class I railroads and helps to connect the Port of Tacoma, local industries, and
container terminals with freight and market destinations throughout the region and nation.
Project Name: I-5/Thorne Lane Capacity and Safety Improvements, WSDOT, $1,500,000
Explanation: This project will design and establish right-of-way needs for a roadway
connecting Gravelly Lake Drive to Thorne Lane across Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This
is a good use of taxpayer funds because it will reduce congestion in the surrounding area,
enhance freight mobility, and improve access to Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the City
of Lakewood.
I am extremely concerned about the difficult economic issues facing families in Washington state, as
well as our growing federal deficit. Congressional sponsored projects make up less that 2 percent of the
discretionary budget and do not contribute to the deficit as these funds would otherwise be spent by
agencies. However, in recognition of the concerns that many of my constituents have about these
projects, my requests for federal funding this year represent a 50 percent reduction from funding that I
requested last year. I hope that this helps build confidence so that together we can face the difficult
decisions necessary to reduce the federal deficit. “
1. SR522 Paradise Lake Road to Snohomish River – Safety and Capacity Improvements
Washington State Department of Transportation, $1 million
Explanation of the request, including the purpose and why it is a valuable use of taxpayer funds:
State Route 522 is a highway of statewide significance and an important east-west route running from I-
5 in Seattle to US 2 in Monroe. This project will provide motorists with a divided highway between
Woodinville and Monroe, hence, alleviating bottlenecks that occur on SR 522 during weekday commutes
and weekend recreational peaks. SR 522 to US 2 has seen a 33% increase in ridership between 1994 and
2004 and more than a 132% increase in collisions. Improvements to SR 522 will significantly decreasing
congestion, passenger and freight travel times and improve safety and mobility on this corridor. In
order to improve environmental protection along the corridor, the project includes plans to replace
several fish passage culverts and construction of detention ponds to improve water quality.
3. Electric Vehicle Readiness Implementation Planning for the 4 County Puget Sound Area
Puget Sound Regional Council, $300,000
Energy security and pollution reduction are national priorities and vehicle electrification can help
achieve these goals. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has worked closely with public, private,
and nonprofit stakeholders in central Puget Sound to help the four county region be Electric Vehicle
Ready when the vehicles come to market in 2010 and 2011. PSRC is working with stakeholders to
leverage existing public and private projects to develop electric vehicle infrastructure implementation
plans in each of the four central Puget Sound counties to transition the region in to a clean fuel
economy. Vehicle electrification will help communities decrease pollution and reduce locally-set carbon
emission reduction goals.
An important part of moving to a clean fuel economy with electric vehicles is providing an adequate
number of charging stations to broaden consumer adoption and ease. PSRC will use funds provided to
design a vehicle infrastructure implementation plan in each of the four central Puget Sound counties,
helping the region move together to increase energy independence and decrease carbon emissions.
A significant amount of work is already beginning in the region related to electric vehicle infrastructure.
The Puget Sound region’s employment base was 1.94 million in 2006 and is forecast to grow by an
additional 1.1 million jobs by 2040. A region-wide electric vehicle implementation plan will help position
the area to generate jobs and economic prosperity while meeting carbon emission reduction goals and
reducing environmental impacts of our transportation system.
This project will provide 10 million consumers traveling throughout the I-5 corridor clean transportation
choices and make emerging technologies available in the Pacific Northwest. The project will also serve
as a magnet for automakers and green-technology industries that are looking to locate or expand their
business opportunities in an EV-ready region, including Washington state.
7. State Route 522 and 61st Avenue NE Improvements, Kenmore, City of Kenmore, $500,000
The project will significantly improve traffic safety and reduce delays along the SR 522 corridor by
improving the capacity of the north and south approaches to more efficiently move vehicles through the
61st St NE intersection on SR 522. The installation of a traffic signal at 61st Avenue NE and NE 181st
Street will reduce congestion to increase traffic circulation within the City of Kenmore’s commercial
district and stimulate downtown redevelopment in Kenmore. The roadway serves as a major link
between cities on the east side of Lake Washington and northeast Seattle, as well as being a commercial
corridor. Funding for this project will address the critical need to improve safety and will reduce
congestion on this heavily trafficked corridor.
8. Chico Creek Restoration, Kitsap County, Kitsap County Public Works, $650,000
Under the Chico Initiative, county, tribal, state agencies, non-profit groups and citizens have joined
together to protect Chico's headwaters and one of Puget Sound's most productive salmon streams. The
county will replace the highest ranked salmon barrier, an old, heavy-duty culvert, with a new bridge.
The bridge will allow salmon, an endangered species, to pass freely and open up new spawning habitat.
The community will benefit from increase salmon populations by enhancing sport, commercial and tribal
fishing opportunities as well the quality of the Chico Way Salmon Viewing Park for the hundreds of
people who annually visit salmon in Chico Creek, the region's most popular viewing destination.
Additionally, increased salmon populations will directly contribute to the welfare of orca. For example,
the J-pod resided just off the mouth of Chico Creek for the entire month of November 1997 feasting on
the returning salmon. Moreover, the project will create or maintain more than 17 temporary positions
for engineering and construction.
Rep. Rick Larsen
“I received a large number of appropriations requests from local constituents, communities and
organizations,” said Rep. Larsen. “After careful consideration, I selected 35 [of 155] requests that will
make key investments in a range of needs for communities in Northwest Washington to help grow and
support jobs and spur economic growth in our region.”