Dear Neighbors, Our transportation system dramatically impacts our economy and quality of life. Our ability to reach a destination by road, bus, boat or train in a timely manner is something we often take for granted. It is important that we make new investments in our transportation infrastructure and that we are creative and forward-thinking as we plan for the future. In this e-newsletter, I provide information about Transit Now, a transportation proposal the County Council has placed on the November ballot for you to consider. I also discuss other innovative transportation initiatives which have the potential to positively impact your mobility and quality of life. I encourage you to read below and contact me with any feedback or suggestions related to transportation or any other county matter. It is a pleasure and an honor to serve you. Sincerely, |
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As Chair of the Council's Transportation Committee, I was pleased that on Tuesday (September 5th) the King County Council voted overwhelmingly to place a proposal on the ballot for your consideration this November. It is called "Transit Now" and it will expand King County Metro bus service by more than 20 percent . The funding will come from a proposed 1/10th of one percent sales tax increase, and it will cost the average family about $25 a year, less than a tank of gas. The proposal, if adopted by the public, will allow Metro to keep pace with regional employment and population growth. The Council's Transportation Committee held five hearings on Transit Now and heard strong testimony from the public in support of the measure. Supporters include representatives from suburban cities, environmental leaders, transit advocates and business leaders. We heard loud and clear from the public, they are tired of extensive process and delay and they want a better transportation system NOW. Transit Now will put more buses out on the street in months ...not years. Transit Now will go before King County voters on November 7th. |
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In late June, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) approved a comprehensive study to explore options for expanding passenger ferry service around the Puget Sound region. Passenger ferry service to Vashon Island is an essential component of our transportation system and right now funding of that service is in jeopardy. Current levels of ferry service are insufficient to meet our region’s projected future growth. This study will ensure our region is prepared to accommodate the demand for additional ferry service and new routes across the Puget Sound in the future. For more information on this topic, read my op-ed piece in the Seattle P-I, dated January 24, 2006, titled "Get Together on Ferry Service"or go to www.psrc.org. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC ) is an association of cities, towns, counties, ports, and state agencies that serves as a forum for developing policies and making decisions about regional growth and transportation issues in the four-county central Puget Sound region (King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap). |
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| Burlington Northern Rail Corridor Study Moves Forward
The BNSF Rail Corridor study is examining the potential for the region to acquire and preserve in public ownership nearly 42 miles in the rail corridor now owned and operated by the BNSF Railway Company. The corridor is located along Lake Washington between the cities of Renton and Snohomish. I am chairing this advisory committee comprised of elected officials, business leaders and environmental and trail advocates that is working together to develop a recommendation for the future use of the corridor. One of the great assets of our region is the extensive network of trails and bike paths that allow us to get out with our families and pets on foot or bike throughout King County. Our existing trail network is in place because we had the foresight to act to preserve these important corridors. The advisory committee will make a recommendation to the Puget Sound Regional Council later this year. The recommendation will identify the most desirable and feasible uses of the corridor and will be built upon technical analysis and public input. For more information, please visit www.psrc.org |
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| First mile of elevated Light Rail track in Tukwila completed
On August 30th, I received a tour from Sound Transit staff and contractors of the amazing construction progress on the elevated section of light rail track between the airport and the City of Tukwila. We were joined by local media to inspect the progress Sound Transit is making on completing the initial light rail segment. We've moved beyond planning and studies in this region and we are pouring concrete and laying tracks for our light rail system that will make it easier for all of us to move around the region. Light Rail between downtown Seattle and SeaTac airport will be up and running by the end of 2009. |
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| Sound Transit and RTID Moving Forward
Yesterday, I was joined by Sound Transit Vice Chair Connie Marshall to announce that we are moving forward in finalizing the plan for the first road and transit joint ballot proposal for the Puget Sound region. The Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID), an entity created by the state to make road improvements in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and Sound Transit, our regional transit provider, have teamed up to coordinate our planning. Together, we are developing an integrated transportation plan to present to the voters of the Puget Sound region for approval in November 2007. But first we want to hear from you! We want the public to weigh in on what they believe the most important road and transit improvements we can make for the region are. We know we can't afford everything, and together we must prioritize key projects. The Road and Transit plan will represent the single biggest investment we have every made in our transportation system in the Puget Sound region. We must continue to move forward – we can’t afford additional delay. The days of endless process and planning are over. It is time to get building. The citizens of this region want a world class transportation system. They want road AND transit improvements and they want to be able to move around our region with ease. With the help of the public we will perfect this plan and improve transportation in the Puget Sound region. |
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| About my ENewsletter Click here to remove yourself from my enewsletter list. Click here to subscribe yourself to my enewsletter. If you have any questions or comments, please email me, julia.patterson@metrokc.gov. To review my recent e-newsletters, click here. |
