REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE: MORE CARS AND HIGHWAYS, NOT ENOUGH PUBLIC TRANSIT

The current $11.6 billion regional transportation ballot proposal includes too much funding for highways and not enough for transportation choices! The bill includes about 71 percent for highways, many of which will worsen traffic, increase air pollution and contribute to sprawl. Even worse, the highways are funded in large part by a sales tax increase--the primary funding source for public transportation in Washington! The Executives' proposal includes some positive steps including extension of Link Light Rail to SeaTac and Northgate, new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes on SR-99, and I-405, passenger ferry service to Vashon Island, thousands of new park & ride spaces and a proposal to authorize tolls on SR520, I-405 and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.Unfortunately, these smart investments in transportation choices are overshadowed by the proposal to raise the sales tax to pay for highway expansion in rural areas. Groups like 1000 Friends of Washington and other transit-friendly organizations especially encourage people to contact the following King county council members to tell them to support a 50/50 balance between roads and transit "choices."

King County Council

Executive Ron Sims 206-296-4054 Ron.Sims@metrokc.gov

Council Members:

Carolyn Edmonds 206-296-1001 carolyn.edmonds@metrokc.gov

Cynthia Sullivan 206-296-1002 Cynthia.Sullivan@metrokc.gov

Larry Phillips 206-296-1004 Larry.Phillips@metrokc.gov

Dwight Pelz 206-296-1005 Dwight.Pelz@metrokc.gov

Dow Constantine 206-296-1008 Dow.Constantine@metrokc.gov

Larry Gossett 206-296-1010 Larry.Gossett@metrokc.gov

Jane Hague 206-296-1011 Jane.Hague@metrokc.gov

Julia Patterson 206-296-1013 Julia.Patterson@metrokc.gov

PeteVonReichbauer 206-296-1007 Pete.Vonreichbauer@metrokc.gov

To view a list of the proposed projects in each county, visit: www.metrokc.gov/exec/news/2002/050302att1.xls