Transportation Fund: 2.5% fare increase, Sidney run and improving Hiway 20 included

The Senate released a proposed 2009-11 transportation budget on March 25 that includes funding for local highways and continues service on the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry, according to Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee.

“Maintaining the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry and limiting increases in fares to no more than 2.5 percent have been among my top priorities, and I’m very glad we managed to include those in this budget,” said Ranker. “I’m also very encouraged that we’ve secured $93 million for local highway projects that will put thousands of people to work making our roads safer and more efficient.”

The proposed budget allocates a total of over $4.3 billion in transportation funding for more than 400 projects across the state in the next two years. About $93 million will be invested in dozens of transportation projects in the 40th district.

The many projects that will improve transportation throughout the district include ramp reconstruction and stormwater drainage improvements to I-5, widening and additional lanes on SR-20, a new Chuckanut Park & Ride, and ferry terminal improvement and preservation work on Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, Anacortes and Friday Harbor.

“These are important projects that will improve transportation and also provide valuable jobs at exactly the time when our economy needs them,” said Ranker.

In addition to limiting ferry fare increases to no more than 2.5 percent and keeping the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry running, the proposed transportation budget includes provisions to speed up construction of new 144-car ferries by 10 years, from 2023 to 2013.

For a summary of  the Transportation Budget, go to transportationhighlights.

Video of Ranker commenting on the proposed transportation budget will be available online at  senatedemocrats.wa.gov/senators/ranker/.