| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 2:38 am |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Local News 
|
|||||||||
$9 million to be sought for U.S. 2 in federal transportation bill Money would pay for overpass and other projects if bill clears Congress EVERETT -- If Congress passes a new $500 billion funding bill for transportation, it could mean help for dangerous local roads such as U.S. 2 and other projects in Snohomish County.There's doubt, though, whether the bill can get through Congress anytime soon. The bill, introduced recently in the U.S. House of Representatives, proposes to more than double federal spending for safety-related road projects to $12.6 billion. U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, plans to ask for $9.25 million in improvements for U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Gold Bar. These would include a westbound overpass at Bickford Avenue and other smaller projects. This is a long way from the goal identified in a 2007 state study that concluded U.S. 2 needed $2.4 billion in improvements between Snohomish and Skykomish. Any step in that direction, however, is positive, said Fred Walser of Monroe, chairman of the U.S. 2 Safety Coalition. "All of it makes a big difference," Walser said. "Any money we can get to improve safety is needed." The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., proposes to spend $337 billion on highway construction, $100 billion for public transit and $50 billion to build a nationwide high-speed rail system. It would increase transportation spending by 38 percent and create or sustain 6 million jobs, according to language in the bill. It aims to overhaul the federal transportation bureaucracy by reducing the number of agencies that relate to moving people or freight down to 33 from 108. The bill also stresses funding for connections between different modes of transportation. "The bill is designed to transform surface transportation in the United States," Larsen said at a meeting with Snohomish County-area officials and others in Everett last week. Larsen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill would reauthorize transportation spending for another six years, replacing the current plan, which expires Oct. 1. The Obama administration, however, wants to wait 18 months before approving a new plan, proposing instead to keep transportation going with lesser amounts in the interim. This would postpone a debate about transportation policy and funding until after the 2010 congressional elections. The House bill has not identified a funding source, and with gas-tax revenues dwindling, an unpopular increase in the 18.4-cents-a-gallon federal tax could be on the table. The tax has not been raised since 1993. Other types of taxes could be considered as well, Larsen said. "Everything is on the table," he told the group last week. Oberstar's reauthorization bill would have a greater effect on the economy than the administration's plan, Larsen said. If the bill is authorized by September, many of its projects could begin next year, around the time many of the projects under the economic stimulus program are ending, he said. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., would like to see the reauthorization happen soon but doesn't think it's realistic, spokesman Matt McAlvanah said. "Given the enormous legislative priorities before Congress right now, health care, energy, financial regulation, the reality is they might not get to it" before September, McAlvanah said. Murray's primary near-term priority for transportation is to make sure the Federal Highway Trust Fund remains solvent, her spokesman said. It's scheduled to run dry by Aug. 21 if it doesn't receive $5 million to $7 million, according to Larsen's office. In the Oberstar bill, Larsen plans to ask for funding for 12 projects or programs for Snohomish County, including four for U.S. 2, and three for Island County. If the bill doesn't pass, Larsen will seek funding elsewhere for U.S. 2 and other local projects, said Andrea Mahnke, a spokeswoman for Larsen. |
- Woman still in critical condition after Monday crash on Highway 9
- Cut through solid-white lines and it could cost you $411
- Study: Boeing tanker seen as big job producer
- County to pay builders $1.7 million to settle suits
- Marysville girl on bike in critical condition after struck by car
- Lawmakers act to roll back state ferry workers' travel perk
- Fugitive charged in toddler's slaying accused of robbery
- Mariner notes
- Special session likely to finish budget, tax increase
- Everett man pleads guilty to murder on Tulalip reservation
- Cut through solid-white lines and it could cost you $411
(22) - Tulalip man accused in a toddler's death is a no-show (19)
- Special session likely to finish budget, tax increase (12)
- Fugitive charged in toddler's slaying accused of robbery (11)
- County to pay builders $1.7 million to settle suits (10)
- Woman still in critical condition after Monday crash on Highway 9 (10)
- Marysville girl on bike in critical condition after struck by car (8)
- Community Transit cuts will hurt; just ask a rider like Crystal (4)
- Senate votes to end free rides for ferry workers (4)
- New high-tech tool aids searchers after avalanches (4)
- Meadowdale boys refuse to fold, but rally falls short in 3A state opener
- Prairie’s zone defense stymies Lynnwood at Class 3A state girls basketball tournament
- Ellensburg takes it to Archbishop Murphy girls at 2A tourney
- Beyond the ‘Woodstock Generation'
- Magical run for Jackson
- Schools, public debate budget cutting ideas
- Farrand watercolors on exhibit at MLT library
- FD1, FD7 could merge
- Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force
- New CEO at Valley General Hospital
- Dan Koffman's ‘TopSpin' marketing astounds, inspires, motivates, produces — just for starters
- Economic forecasts for Snohomish County, Everett, Marysville offer some bright moments
- Government officials influencing home prices
- Massive EPA energy regulations meet challenge
- Washington state healthcare reforms also needed
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|
COMMENTS | Be the first to comment
Log in or register to post a new comment.
To read other terms and conditions, click here