³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle’s ‘bolder’ transportation levy could cost residents even more

Jun 27, 2024, 5:44 PM

Photo: Downtown Seattle....

Seattle City Council member Tammy Morales has proposed a "bolder levy focused on improving traffic safety." (Photo: @nickfalbo/Flickr Creative Commons)

(Photo: @nickfalbo/Flickr Creative Commons)

Seattle Mayor Bruce may get even bigger as Seattle City Council (SCC) member Tammy Morales has proposed a “bolder levy focused on improving traffic safety,” according to .

Morales is proposing an additional $150 million to Harrell’s levy with $90 million to safer streets, sidewalks and bike lanes; $45 million to strengthen roads and modernize parts of the city; and $15 million to plant more trees in Seattle.

Harrell’s levy would cost property owners an additional $41 per month and Morales’ proposal would tack on another $4.50 per month bringing the total to $45.50 per month.

Rising costs: Seattleites may have to pay $41 per month for transportation levy

, Morales connected the levy with , Seattle’s goal to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. She said last year there were 167 traffic-related deaths in King County, an 11% increase from the year before.

“These are deaths that could have been prevented if we were bold enough to prioritize designing our streets,” Morales said.

In the currently proposed levy, the largest chunk of the $1.45 billion — $423 million — would go toward repaving main roads that carry the most buses, trucks and cars. It would also improve infrastructure for people walking, rolling, biking and taking transit.

Polls reveal majority support of larger Seattle transportation levy

The SCC’s news release referenced a Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) poll asking if residents would prefer a $1.7 billion levy or a $1.2 billion version. Out of a survey of 1,000 voters, the majority said they wanted the larger version,

The survey, as reported by the Urbanist, highlighted a new RapidRide line connecting Rainier Beach with Eastlake via Capitol Hill and Beacon Hill. It also noted the $1.7 billion would go toward a full rebuild of East Marginal Way South and upgrades to the Ballard and Fremont bridges, which were originally promised to voters in 2015 but not achieved due to lack of funding.

The Northwest Progressive Institute which also revealed majority support for a larger levy.

“I have heard loud and clear from constituents in every single council district during our public hearings that voters want a bolder transportation levy package that prioritizes safety investments for all,” Morales stated in the release. “This council has a once-in-a-decade opportunity to shape our city’s transportation investments to center mobility and safety for all who use our streets.”

Morals said she expects the council to vote on her proposal Tuesday morning.

Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X  and email her here.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: A law enforcement vehicle's lights....

³ÉÈËXÕ¾7 News Staff

One dead, five injured in Sedro-Woolley shooting

The Sedro-Woolley Police Department (SWPD) says one person has died, and five were injured in a shooting on Saturday night.

10 hours ago

fireworks injured...

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio Newsdesk

Harborview confirms 47 people injured from fireworks-related incidents

Forty-seven people suffered injuries related to fireworks incidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, medical staff with Harborview Medical Center confirmed.

12 hours ago

One of two homes that burned in a two-alarm fire in northeast Tacoma Saturday evening. (Photo: Taco...

Tom Brock

Two homes, historic warehouse burn in separate two-alarm fires in Tacoma

Tacoma firefighters battled two, separate, two-alarm fires on Saturday and they say one of them was started by people illegally setting off fireworks.

13 hours ago

fireworks hand...

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7 News Staff

Holiday fireworks accident in Snohomish results in man losing his hand

A man was rushed to the hospital with injuries to his hand after a fireworks accident in Snohomish County.

18 hours ago

Delridge stabbing...

Tom Brock

17 year old repeatedly stabbed in attack in Seattle’s Delridge neighborhood

Seattle police hope to track down two teenaged suspects after a 17-year-old girl was brutally stabbed early Saturday.

1 day ago

ravenna suv mioposto...

MyNorthwest Staff

GALLERY: SUV crashes into Mioposto in Ravenna with patrons inside, injuring several

An SUV crashed into Mioposto, a family-owned pizzeria, bar, and Italian kitchen, in Ravenna Friday night while patrons were dining inside.

2 days ago

Seattle’s ‘bolder’ transportation levy could cost residents even more