12th District Transportation Update

Sen. Brad Hawkins sent this bulletin at 02/27/2024 09:20 AM PST

February 27, 2024

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As you may know, the 12th District boundaries were adjusted last year as part of the statewide redistricting process. Among other changes, portions of Snohomish and King counties were included in the district. As the district’s State Senator, this has led me to analyze the transportation needs throughout the district. The transportation needs within the boundaries of this redesigned 12th District are extensive – and costly – but effective transportation is very important to all of us, regardless of where we live in the district.

I have served on the Senate Transportation Committee for the past several years. This committee oversees the construction and maintenance of the state’s transportation system, including roads, bridges, ferries, and airports. The committee develops a transportation budget every two years and a package of new transportation investments approximately every six years.

Many benefits to our district

Transportation infrastructure is critical to our district’s economic growth and quality of life. An efficient and effective transportation system is essential for getting our Wenatchee Valley crops to market and the shipment of products produced throughout our district. Investing in our transportation system is also important for community safety. In recent years, local traffic congestion has become an increased challenge for our everyday commutes. State Routes 202 and 203 in King County have experienced a significant amount of traffic increase.

Highway 2 over Stevens Pass continues to be a massive issue as well, mostly because the state’s population – particularly in western Washington – has significantly increased in past decades, but little to no capacity enhancements or safety improvements have been made to Highway 2. Widening State Route 522 is also important to the Snohomish County portion of our district. These are all reasons why the issue of transportation continues to be one of my top priorities as a legislator. I hope this newsletter provides you with helpful updates on important district projects.

I was proud to lead the Senate’s confirmation of Chelan County’s JC Baldwin to the Washington State Transportation Commission. Governor Inslee appointed Commissioner Baldwin in August and her nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 12. To view JC’s Senate confirmation, click here.

Transportation budget ($13.5 billion for 2023-2025)

The transportation budget funds the construction and maintenance of the state transportation system, including the maintenance and preservation of roads, bridges, and ferries. This budget also funds the state agencies and commissions that serve our transportation system, including the Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, Department of Transportation, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, County Road Administration Board, Transportation Improvement Board, Transportation Commission, and Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. The budget also funds numerous previously approved road projects based on their construction schedules.

During the 2022 legislative session, the Legislature approved a new 16-year, $16.9 billion “Move Ahead Washington” transportation investment package, primarily for preserving and maintaining the existing system and completing large-scale transportation projects. The plan combines federal infrastructure funds, climate revenues approved during a previous session, transfers from the operating budget, and license plate and driver license fees to fund a collection of new investments. The legislature will update the 2023-2025 transportation budget this session.

State Route 522 (Monroe)

The State Route 522 project in Snohomish County is extremely important to residents in Monroe who utilize this route for commuting to work. The planned design will widen 522 between Monroe and Maltby and add an interchange at Paradise Lake Road and Maltby Road. Over $30 million has been appropriated to the project so far, including $10 million in the 2022 “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package. Current activities include design, engineering, and right-of-way acquisition. This portion funds $15 million in 2023-2025 and $16 million in 2025-2027. Construction could cost $260 million or more and is not yet funded.

Transportation Priorities

Preservation and Maintenance (statewide): Preservation of our current transportation system – not just new projects – should be an important state priority. Preserving our existing system is more important than new projects. Local, state, and federal officials should acknowledge the importance of adequately maintaining our existing system and prioritizing preservation, even though it may not be as glamorous as discussing new projects.
State Route 522 (Monroe): The SR 522 proposal includes widening the distance between Monroe and Maltby and adding an interchange at Paradise Lake Road and Maltby Road. Over $30 million has been appropriated to the project for design, engineering, and right-of-way acquisition through 2027. I have had helpful discussions with Monroe leaders about finishing this project. Construction could cost $260 million or more and is not yet funded.
Highway 2 Improvements (Sultan): Local leaders have identified a corridor improvement plan that includes several project components, which will be completed as funding is acquired, including replacing the Wagley Creek Bridge and fish culvert, adding a two-lane roundabout at Sultan Basin Road and Highway 2 and at Old Owen Road and Main Street, and expanding the highway to four lanes. Funding could come from future state or federal appropriations.
Highway 18 Widening (North Bend): A new interchange at I-90 and SR 18 will improve safety and traffic flow near North Bend. The projects include widening two miles of SR 18 to Issaquah/Hobart Road and five miles of SR 18 from Issaquah/Hobart Road to Deep Creek over Tiger Mountain. It is funded at $665 million and under construction.
Confluence Parkway (Wenatchee): Confluence Parkway would provide a much-needed second bridge across the Wenatchee River, a widened pedestrian bridge, and a roadway with a direct connection to the U.S. 97A/US 2 Interchange and Odabashian Bridge. The Confluence Parkway project was awarded $49 million in federal grants in 2021 and $85 million in state funding in 2023.
State Route 202/203 (Fall City - Carnation): SR 202 through Fall City and SR 203 between Fall City and Monroe receive significant usage and need safety and traffic flow improvements, including a roundabout near Carnation. I look forward to continuing discussions to identify possible transportation solutions.

Highway 2 Improvements (Sultan)

City of Sultan leaders have identified a $234 million preferred corridor improvement plan that includes several project components, which will be completed as funding is acquired. Currently, the city is working to secure funding to replace the Wagley Creek Bridge and fish culvert and add a two-lane roundabout at Sultan Basin Road and Highway 2. The design also includes other elements, such as roundabouts at Old Owen Road and Main Street and expanding the highway to four lanes. Click to view an enlarged version of this Highway 2 proposal near Sultan.

Highway 18 Widening (North Bend)

A new interchange at I-90 and SR 18 near North Bend will improve safety and traffic flow. This phase of the project also includes widening two miles of SR 18 to Issaquah/Hobart Road.

The “Move Ahead Washington” transportation plan includes widening five miles of SR 18 from Issaquah/Hobart Road to Deep Creek over Tiger Mountain. It is funded at $665 million.

Confluence Parkway (Wenatchee)

Confluence Parkway in Wenatchee will provide a much-needed second bridge across the Wenatchee River, a widened pedestrian bridge, and a roadway with a direct connection to the U.S. 97A/US 2. The Confluence Parkway project was awarded $49 million in federal grants in 2021 and $85 million in state funding in 2023. The 2023-25 transportation budget schedules allocations of $85 million to Confluence Parkway over the next three budget cycles. Click here for a Confluence Parkway aerial image.

In 2021, Confluence Parkway project received a federal “Infrastructure for Rebuilding America” grant and state funds in the “Move Ahead Washington” plan. Special thanks to the City of Wenatchee and many local officials for their years of work advocating for this important project.

State Route 202/203 (Fall City – Carnation)

SR 202 through Fall City and SR 203 between Fall City and Monroe receive significant usage and need improvements, including a roundabout near Carnation. This image shows the troubling intersection at SR 203 and Tolt Hill Road, just outside Carnation, which has been the site of multiple accidents.

Maintaining our existing system

The Legislature has increased funding in recent years for preservation and maintenance of our roads and bridges. Still, the funding has unfortunately not been increased to keep pace with the inflation rate, nor with the addition of assets to the transportation system over time. WSDOT needs more funding to maintain and preserve our transportation assets. Preserving our current system – not just new projects – should be an important state priority. In my opinion, the preservation of our existing system is more important than new projects. All future large-scale transportation packages in our state must adequately fund efforts to preserve our current system, and legislators and local elected officials need to acknowledge this as a priority, even though it may not be as glamorous as discussing new projects. As the Legislature considers various plans for new projects in future sessions, our district must be prepared to discuss and advocate for new projects and the preservation of our current roadways.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as your State Senator. If you have any questions or comments about transportation issues, please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 or contact me at senatorbradhawkins.org.

Stakeholders met with Senate Transportation Committee leaders at the State Capitol on Feb. 14 to discuss the SR 203/Tolt Hill Road roundabout. Funding is unlikely this year, but hopefully can be included in a future transportation budget. Pictured above including myself are State Representatives Mike Steele and Keith Goehner, Carnation Mayor Jim Ribail, King County Councilmember Sarah Perry, representatives from Remlinger Farms, Snoqualmie Tribe, and others.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve

I hope this email newsletter provides you with a good overview of transportation priorities within the 12^th District. If you have any questions about the state budgets or legislation being considered, please call our Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. To learn more about my legislative efforts on your behalf, please visit senatorbradhawkins.org. Also, my office has been actively working to share information about my Facebook page. You can like and follow me on Facebook @SenatorBradHawkins for my latest updates.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.

Sincerely,

Brad Hawkins

State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District

Website: senatorbradhawkins.org

P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000

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