State adopts plan to put more tolls on area roads

Website Director — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 18:25:00 GMT

Should the state continue to expand the use of tolls on area roads? EHB 1382, which passed the House by a vote of 52 to 46, directs the Department of Transportation to develop and operate express toll lanes on Interstate 405. The tolls would be between the city of Bellevue at 6th Street on the South end, and the intersection of I-405 and Interstate 5 on the North end. This act also directs the Department to conduct an evaluation of the project to determine the impacts on the movement of vehicles and people through the Interstate 405 and SR 167 corridors. EHB 1382 would allow for the state Transportation Commission to set the rates for the tolls and stipulates that revenues may be appropriated for operation, maintenance, repair, construction, and expansion of express toll lanes in the eastside corridor. EHB 1382 is now before the Senate Transportation Committee.

HB 1929 creates a local street utility tax

Website Director — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:24:00 GMT

Interesting bill of the day: HB 1929, introduced by Rep. Marko Liias, would allow local governments to use a street maintenance utility tax to help maintain urban streets. According to Section 5 of the bill, the street utility tax would apply to residents, businesses, etc., and would be based on the number of trips generated from each. Do you think a street utility tax is a good idea?

WashingtonVotes : roads

State adopts plan to put more tolls on area roads

HB 1929 creates a local street utility tax