Approved State Transportation Package Includes Major Improvements to State Roads Throughout Snohomish County
$665 million earmarked to Snohomish County area transportation projects and
more than $800 million to state grant programs
EVERETT, Wash., July 16, 2015 – Snohomish County residents can expect improvements to numerous state roads throughout the county now that Governor Jay Inslee has signed the Transportation Initiative Package into law. The package provides $665 million to Snohomish County area state transportation projects over the next 16 years. These county priorities were identified by multiple local agencies and advocacy was led by Snohomish County, Association of Snohomish County Cities and Towns, and Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC). This transportation package also provides more than $800 million to state grants that will be accessible for local county projects.
“The Transportation Initiative Package focuses on key road projects that support the growth of the North Puget Sound Manufacturing Corridor which boosts Snohomish County’s economy,” said Snohomish County Executive John Lovick. “Our county is recognized as number one in manufacturing jobs and second in technology-based jobs in the state of Washington. It is essential we continue to maintain and develop these corridors with road projects; a concept the state legislature apparently agrees with.”
Snohomish County would like to recognize all of its county legislators that supported the revenue package. Sens. Steve Hobbs and Marko Liias were crucial in negotiating the final transportation package and ensuring that Snohomish County priorities were included in the funding list. Additionally, Rep. Mike Sells was essential in advocating for Snohomish County priorities to be included in the House proposal.
The Transportation Initiative Package is expected to raise a total of $16.286 billion over the next 16 years. The package will increase gas tax by 7-cents on August 1, 2015, followed by an additional 4.9-cent increase on July 1, 2016. This initiative also authorizes Community Transit and Sound Transit to seek additional sales tax funding.