Two Eastside representatives, Reps. Ross Hunter and Deb Eddy, both from the 48th District, voted against a narrowly approved bill Friday, April 17 that would allow early tolls to finance the SR 520 floating bridge and gives the Washington State Department of Transportation authority to spend toll-backed bonds for the floating bridge portion of the project.
They bill, HB 2211, now goes to the Senate for consideration. Both Hunter and Eddy said they would press for changes that address critical issues the current legislation ignores.
“I agree that early tolling is a good strategy and I appreciate the efforts that so many have put into crafting this legislation,” said Eddy (D-Kirkland). “But the bill as it is written is not sound public policy. We are preparing to launch one of the most expensive and important transportation projects in our state and this legislation falls far short of addressing key issues involving process, funding for Eastside projects and dealing with I-90.”
Hunter (D-Medina) agrees that much remains to be done.
“Our Eastside project is ready to go and this legislation does not allow any of the early tolling revenue to fund it,” said Hunter. “It is clear that tolling 520 alone will not raise enough revenue to completely fund the project, and I’m still concerned about traffic diversion to I-90 turning that bridge into a parking lot. My biggest concern is by blocking the use of toll revenues for construction work on the Eastside projects we could wind up with a tollbooth to a floating dock, with no throughput improvement.”
Eddy and Hunter proposed alternative legislation, HB 2319, earlier in the session that included triggers for when tolling on the I-90 floating bridge would occur. Eddy said some kind of mechanism for tolling on I-90 must be in place to ensure the Legislature can readily respond to issues regarding revenue and traffic diversion if necessary. In addition, she says the legislation must include a more responsible decision-making process.
“As we gear up to pour billions of dollars into a project that will affect our communities for decades to come, it’s critical that we show the wisdom and leadership necessary to bring the right people to the right conversations, make sound decisions and get this entire corridor upgraded,” said Eddy. “The legislation as written sets up a process better suited to a political event. I want a process that ensures better – and hopefully, quicker – decisions throughout the life of the project.”
