Post by Roadkill on May 19, 2004 6:24:11 GMT -5
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2001932989_405meet19e.html
Eastside leaders and transportation officials yesterday unanimously endorsed a $2.74 billion package of improvements for Interstate 405, sending the project — along with proposed fixes throughout King, Snohomish and Pierce counties — one step closer to voters.
But just as one hurdle in dealing with the region's traffic problem was overcome, another appeared. A new poll shows widespread public resistance to the proposed tax increase needed to finance the road and transit spending.
As part of the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID), local leaders have been working on a $12.8 billion multicounty ballot measure that would be submitted to voters as soon as November. But the poll, commissioned by an influential business group called the "Funders," casts doubt on that time frame.
(snip)
Here's what's at stake for commuters along I-405:
• Two new general-purpose lanes in each direction from Renton to Bellevue.
• One new lane in each direction through Kirkland.
• New interchanges, rebuilt ramps, expanded park-and-ride lots and more.
If planners find more money from other sources later on, they want to add a few additional options, including extra lanes through downtown Bellevue.
Eastside leaders and transportation officials yesterday unanimously endorsed a $2.74 billion package of improvements for Interstate 405, sending the project — along with proposed fixes throughout King, Snohomish and Pierce counties — one step closer to voters.
But just as one hurdle in dealing with the region's traffic problem was overcome, another appeared. A new poll shows widespread public resistance to the proposed tax increase needed to finance the road and transit spending.
As part of the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID), local leaders have been working on a $12.8 billion multicounty ballot measure that would be submitted to voters as soon as November. But the poll, commissioned by an influential business group called the "Funders," casts doubt on that time frame.
(snip)
Here's what's at stake for commuters along I-405:
• Two new general-purpose lanes in each direction from Renton to Bellevue.
• One new lane in each direction through Kirkland.
• New interchanges, rebuilt ramps, expanded park-and-ride lots and more.
If planners find more money from other sources later on, they want to add a few additional options, including extra lanes through downtown Bellevue.