Haugen discusses transportation needs at White House conference

OLYMPIA — As transportation leaders from around the nation met in Washington, D.C. to discuss transportation funding and congestion relief, one idea was most prominent — states need more predictability in funding and greater flexibility in how they spend those funds in order to achieve the best results. more>>>

August 14, 2007

Urban partnership grant provides funds for SR-520

OLYMPIA — Recognizing that the state and region are using the most advanced tools to make traffic better on the state Route 520 corridor, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced it will provide $138.7 million in funding through it’s Urban Partnership Agreement program to facilitate the 520 bridge replacement project. more>>>

Governor takes action on transportation bills

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire this week signed into law a transportation budget for 2007-09 that lawmakers hailed as putting public safety first and keeping on schedule major projects promised in the 2003 Nickel Package and the 2005 Transportation Partnership Package. more>>>

Causing ferry frustration could cost you

OLYMPIA – It’s rude to cut in line. We’ve all known this since the earliest of ages, yet it’s a rule that some still ignore. Today, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law a bill to establish a fine for those who decide to cut in line while waiting to board a ferry. more>>>

Sound wall and other improvements in store for I-5, State Route 20

OLYMPIA — A sound wall along Interstate 5 in Burlington and safety improvements along State Route 20 are key items in the 2007–09 transportation budget agreed on today by transportation committee chairs in the state Senate and House of Representatives. more>>>

Kilmer presses WSDOT to cut costs, find other money for bridge ceremony

OLYMPIA — If the state can’t build a new Narrows Bridge without charging tolls, then it can’t afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in tolls on an opening ceremony, Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, said today. more>>>

Legislature passes Haugen bill to maintain highways in small cities and towns

OLYMPIA — Smaller cities and towns typically lack the means to maintain portions of state highways that run through them, so the responsibility falls to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). As populations grow, cities such as Oak Harbor exceed the threshold for WSDOT assistance. more>>>

At last! House passes bill restricting cell phone use while driving

OLYMPIA – What do cicadas and cell-phone legislation have in common?

It takes both a long time to mature. more>>>

House passes Haugen bills to preserve farmland, fine ferry line cutters

OLYMPIA — Farmers will have a greater role in the statewide effort to maintain farmland, and motorists who cut in ferry lines will be subject to fines, under two bills passed Tuesday by the House of Representatives. more>>>

House passes Kilmer bills to offset bridge tolls, fund hospital road work

OLYMPIA — Narrows Bridge commuters inched a step closer to paying less in tolls when the House of Representatives passed a bill today sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, that would allow the use of traffic fines to help pay off bridge debt. more>>>

Marr: House transportation budget solves shortfall, keeps freeway on schedule

OLYMPIA — Construction of the North/South Freeway will continue as scheduled, thanks to a shifting of funds in the transportation budget released Monday by the House of Representatives. more>>>

Pierce County RTID plan risks becoming a road to nowhere

“The Road to Abilene” is an old story that relates the dangers of groupthink. In this story, a family decides to embark on a road trip. Unfortunately, family members fear speaking up to avoid confrontations — even when they become aware of glaring, obvious problems. They wind up traveling a road littered with anger, frustration, blame and eventual failure. more>>>

Now is the time for all good vets to come to the aid of their state

OLYMPIA – They’ve risked their lives in service to their country, now they’re ready and willing to serve their state. The Senate today approved legislation to establish an internship program for returning wounded combat veterans within the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). more>>>

Ninth time’s the charm?

OLYMPIA – She’s been at it since 1999. Sen. Tracey J. Eide, D-Federal Way, has championed safer roads and freeways since she began serving in the upper chamber. Her bill to restrict the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers passed the Senate last night 29-18, with two senators excused. In previous years, the measure has come successfully out of the Senate and stalled in the House of Representatives. more>>>

A common vision for a new 520 bridge

OLYMPIA – The kind of political paralysis that has stalled the replacement of Alaskan Way Viaduct can be avoided when replacing the Highway 520 bridge, said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle. more>>>

Several steps can reduce bridge tolls, ferry fees

When I arrived in Olympia more than two years ago, one of the sage veterans of the state House approached me. He put his arm around me and said, “So, you’re from the 26th District. Are you for or against the new Narrows bridge?” more>>>

Senate passes Kilmer bill to use bridge fines to lower cost of tolls

OLYMPIA — Narrows Bridge commuters will pay a little less in tolls if a bill passed today by the Senate receives a similar reception in the House of Representatives. more>>>

Low cost liability insurance could give low-income individuals a break

OLYMPIA – In Washington, automobile drivers are required to carry standard liability insurance. Although drivers need this protection in case of a fender-bender or worse, many people don’t have automobile liability insurance simply because they can’t afford it. more>>>

Vessels no longer docked forever: state comes to the rescue

OLYMPIA – Since abandoned boats and barges found in the waterways of our communities pose a threat to the health and safety of residents and the environment, Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, has proposed a bill to provide more money to help tackle the significant number of derelict vessels accumulating in our state’s waterways. more>>>

Murray proposes a mediator to help mitigate 520 bridge fix

OLYMPIA – A proposed replacement for the Highway 520 bridge has Seattle neighborhood groups and local political leaders at loggerheads over the potential impact of the construction of the new six-lane highway. more>>>

Kastama bill would put teeth behind auto insurance law

OLYMPIA — More than 800,000 motorists do not insure their vehicles in Washington state — even though the law requires it. more>>>

Seattle lawmakers urge tunnel option remain on the table

OLYMPIA – A number of Seattle-area legislators continue to express their preference for a tunnel to replace the aging Alaska Way Viaduct. Their backup would be a surface/transit option. more>>>

Washington, Oregon transportation panels to meet

OLYMPIA – For the first time ever, the Washington Senate Transportation Committee and the Oregon Senate Business, Transportation, and Workforce Development Committee will meet jointly this Friday for a work session on the Columbia River Crossing Project. more>>>

State lawmakers: WSDOT report shows hybrid tunnel not feasible

OLYMPIA — A report from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) leaves the state with no choice but to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with an elevated structure, top lawmakers said today. more>>>

Haugen: $2 bump in specialty plate fee could take care of animal emergencies

OLYMPIA — As For years, Washington has relied on volunteers and non-profit groups such as the Pilchuck Wildlife Center in Stanwood to tend to the wide variety of injured or frightened wildlife that turn up in homes, neighborhoods and other public areas. more>>>

Driving while clueless

I’m mad and so are many of you.

Another driver using a wireless device recently hit a car and set off a chain accident involving three additional vehicles on Interstate 5. more>>>

Seattle senators working together for a solution on the viaduct

OLYMPIA – Seattle Democratic senators met today to discuss the Alaskan Way Viaduct and mutually agreed that it will be a top priority for them to find a solution amidst the recent meetings among legislative leaders, the City of Seattle, and the governor. more>>>

Bill would require state to pay for election on viaduct instead of voters

OLYMPIA – When the advisory ballot measure is submitted to Seattle voters on the Alaskan Way Viaduct, Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, wants to make sure that voters don’t get left footing the bill. more>>>

Bill would reauthorize stadium taxes to be used for viaduct, bridge projects

OLYMPIA – When the current tax expires and the bond has been paid off for Safeco and Qwest fields, Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, wants to reauthorize the money to improve the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 520 bridge projects. more>>>

Haugen to serve on Blue Ribbon Panel on nation’s transportation

OLYMPIA — Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, will serve on a Blue Ribbon Panel of Transportation Experts to help develop recommendations on the future needs and funding of the nation’s surface transportation system. more>>>