Washington Roundtable president Steve Mullin writes in the Seattle Times that the state House should quickly adopt the comprehensive transportation package passed by the Senate.
Under our feet and wheels are some of the poorest quality roads in the United States — the 15th worst in the nation — and it’s costing us.
According to a 2014 report from TRIP, a national transportation research group, deficient roadways cost Washington residents approximately $6.5 billion annually in the form of additional vehicle operating costs, the cost of lost time and wasted fuel due to traffic congestion and traffic crashes. Everyone is impacted: growers, shippers, manufacturers, commuters and families. Our state must do better.
…With time running short in the current legislative session, it is time for the full House to take action…
The Senate’s $15 billion transportation package relies on an 11.7 cent increase in the state gas tax, phased in over three years. It invests much-needed dollars in the preservation and maintenance of our state’s existing roads and bridges and completes corridors critical to our entire state.
Investing in essential transportation infrastructure is one of Opportunity Washington’s top priorities. Lawmakers have been close before. This is the year to get the job done.
