Issue Position: Getting our Region Moving

Issue Position

We have to face facts. We failed to invest in our transportation infrastructure when we had the chance to do so on the federal government's dime and before our population grew, outpacing road capacity. Businesses have been hurt by an inefficient system that leaves goods and service providers idling on the roadway. On top of that, we expect another 1 million people to relocate to Washington by 2040, most of whom are expected to live west of the Cascades. This population increase will only add to the stress on our roads. That's the hand we have been dealt, and voters decided in 2016 not to kick the can down the road any further.

Currently, I-405 is the most congested roadway in our state. In my first session, I listened to hundreds of I-405 commuters (I'm one of those, too!) and signed on to bi-partisan legislation that would have, among other things, reduced the hot lanes from two to one. When it became clear that legislation was not gaining traction, I asked to meet with WSDOT and invited my colleagues whose districts are in the I-405 corridor to relay constituent concerns and to find another way to improve the situation. Shortly after that meeting, WSDOT voluntarily lifted tolls on weekends and evenings and made other improvements such as better ingress/egress points to the hot lanes. The hard shoulder running near Highway 527 is now open and has gone a long way to alleviate congestion in that area. The data we have shows commute times have improved, but we still need to reduce congestion at peak times. I will remain a strong advocate and voice for the 48th and the Eastside to keep us moving.

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