BILL REQ. #: H-5227.2
| State of Washington | 60th Legislature | 2008 Regular Session |
READ FIRST TIME 02/12/08.
AN ACT Relating to financing the state route number 520 bridge replacement project; adding new sections to chapter 47.56 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that the replacement
of the vulnerable state route number 520 bridge is a matter of urgency
for the safety of Washington's traveling public and the needs of the
transportation system in central Puget Sound. The state route number
520 bridge is forty-four years old and has a useful remaining life of
between thirteen and eighteen years. While one hundred fifteen
thousand vehicles travel on the bridge each day, there is an ever
present likelihood that wind or an earthquake could suddenly destroy
the bridge or render it unusable. Therefore, the state must develop a
comprehensive approach to fund a state route number 520 bridge
replacement to be constructed by 2018.
The legislature finds that the financial plan for the bridge
assumes a current funding shortfall of up to two billion dollars. The
legislature further finds that the bridge replacement project requires
funding from multiple revenue sources, including a partnership between
the state and the users of the bridge.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 47.56 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Following the submission of the report required in section 4 of
this act, the department may seek authorization from the legislature to
collect tolls on the existing state route number 520 bridge or on a
replacement state route number 520 bridge.
(2) The schedule of toll charges must be established by the
transportation commission and collected in a manner determined by the
department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 A new section is added to chapter 47.56 RCW
to read as follows:
The department shall work with the federal highways administration
to determine the necessary actions for receiving federal authorization
to toll the interstate 90 floating bridge. The department must
periodically report the status of those discussions to the governor and
the joint transportation committee.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 (1) The executive director of the Puget
Sound regional council, the secretary of the department of
transportation or his or her designee, and a member of the state
transportation commission from King county shall form a state route
number 520 tolling implementation committee.
(2) The committee must:
(a) Evaluate the potential diversion of traffic from state route
number 520 to other parts of the transportation system, including state
route number 522, when tolls are implemented on state route number 520;
(b) Evaluate the most advanced tolling technology to ensure an
efficient and timely trip for users of the state route number 520
bridge;
(c) Evaluate available active traffic management technology to
determine the most effective options for technology that could manage
congestion on the state route number 520 bridge;
(d) Explore opportunities to partner with the business community to
reduce congestion and financially contribute to the state route number
520 bridge replacement project;
(e) Conduct public work sessions and open houses to provide
information to citizens, including users of the bridge and business and
freight interests, regarding implementation of tolls on the state route
number 520 bridge and solicit citizen views on the following items:
(i) Funding a portion of the state route number 520 bridge
replacement project with tolls on the existing bridge;
(ii) Funding the state route number 520 bridge replacement project
and improvements on the Interstate 90 bridge with a toll paid by
drivers on both bridges;
(iii) Providing incentives and choices for users of the state route
number 520 bridge replacement project to use transit and to carpool;
and
(iv) Implementing variable tolling as a way to reduce congestion on
the facility; and
(f) Provide a report to the governor and the legislature by January
2009.
(3) The department of transportation shall provide staff support to
the committee.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 Section 4 of this act expires February 1,
2009.