成人X站

CHOKEPOINTS

Voters approve huge transportation packages, except in Issaquah

Nov 17, 2016, 6:52 AM | Updated: 9:32 am

eastside traffic, Washington traffic, Issaquah traffic, transit, transportation, package...

Issaquah traffic gets rough at times. (成人X站 Radio)

(成人X站 Radio)

Four of five local transportation packages passed during the November election, and the one that didn’t actually won a majority of the vote.

The Kitsap Transit’s ferry package, which voters approved, will provide fast, passenger-only service from Bremerton, Kingston and Southworth to downtown Seattle. It increases sales tax by three-tenths of 1 percent.

CEO of Kitsap Transit John Clauson says Bremerton will get passenger-ferry service in July of 2017. Kingston will be about a year behind Bremerton, and Southworth about two years after that.

Related: The program WSDOT hopes will speed up I-405

Clauson says the trips will take about half the time of the traditional state ferries.

“When you compare a 30-minute crossing to, say, I-5 coming out of Pierce County or coming south from Snohomish County, it’s a pretty pleasurable commute,” he said.

Lynnwood voters approved a measure to raise the sales tax by one-tenth of 1 percent to pay for road maintenance. The measure will raise about $1 million a year.

Bellevue voters passed a package to raise property taxes by 15 cents of assessed value or about $96 a year for the average homeowner to pay for neighborhood road improvements.

Bothell’s property tax package raised the property tax by 50 cents per $1,000 or about $200 a year for the average homeowner. That money will go to sidewalks and paving projects.

Issaquah’s measure did not pass. It received more than 54 percent support, but the measure required a 60 percent majority to pass because it involved issuing bonds. Had it been a straight levy, it would have passed.

Mayor Fred Butler says the city may have aimed a little high with the $50 million proposal, but he’s not giving up on finding ways to improve congestion.

“We’re not going to sit back and say, ‘Oh we’re so disappointed and we’re sorry, we’re going to try and figure out the next steps and what will make a difference and where we can make some improvements,” he said.

Mayor Butler has a list of transportation projects in his current budget proposal that is before the city council.

“We’ve got some broad, general ideas right now, but since transportation and traffic are such a high priority, we will be putting some quality time with our team to figure out logical next steps to try and address the problem,” he said.

Issaquah is hosting a regional transportation summit next week to look for ideas and solutions to our traffic issues.

Chokepoints

Northgate rollover crash...

MyNorthwest Staff

Busy intersection in Northgate back open after rollover crash

An intersection in Northgate is back open after a rollover crash.

1 hour ago

Diverging Diamond Interchange...

Chris Sullivan

New interchange is open but westbound I-90 traffic likely won’t improve for months

The state's new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at SR 18 is now open and will hopefully improve traffic and safety.

1 day ago

WSDOT ratchets up its workload along sections of US 2 near Stevens Pass Summit (Image courtesy of W...

Nate Connors

Multiple projects underway on US 2 between Stevens Pass and Coles Corner

Beginning Tuesday, crews will be working on pavement repairs along a 4-mile section just west of the summit, near Deception Falls.

2 days ago

sound transit dogs...

MyNorthwest Staff

Dog owners celebrate! Sound Transit to allow leashed dogs in 2026, mulling other pets

Dogs will finally be allowed to ride the light rail in 2026 after the Sound Transit Board voted in favor of the furry pets' inclusion Thursday afternoon.

3 days ago

hot lane SR 167...

Frank Sumrall

‘They’re making you pay for the right to bill you:’ 成人X站 hosts upset over toll changes for SR 167 HOT lane

The聽HOT lane聽from Auburn to Renton is becoming an express toll lane, just like the聽existing toll lanes on I-405聽between Bellevue and Lynnwood.

4 days ago

seattle traffic congestion commutes...

Nate Connors

Seattle traffic this weekend is going to bite

Seattle faces heavy traffic this weekend due to numerous summer events attracting large crowds.

5 days ago

Voters approve huge transportation packages, except in Issaquah