SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6408

                    As of January 25, 1996

Title:  An act relating to high occupancy vehicle lane improvements on SR 522.

Brief Description:  Restricting high occupancy vehicle lane improvements.

Sponsors:  Senators Fairley and Owen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/25/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

Background:  The transportation budget for the 1995-97 biennium contains appropriations for the Department of Transportation "Improvements Program."  Among highway projects identified for construction is a section of high occupancy vehicle lanes on State Route 522 between NE 147th and 80th NE.  The project is an approximately 2.25 mile shoulder HOV lane, for use by eastbound transit vehicles in the P.M. peak period.  The estimated $3.8 million project is scheduled to be advertised for construction bids in March, 1996.

Design began on this project in 1985.  Opposition to the project at that time included the city of Lake Forest Park which objected to the granting of a shoreline permit.  Concerns about the project included traffic disruption during and after construction, loss of parking at businesses, and cost of the project relative to the limited benefit in terms of reduced transit operating times.  The project is intended to  reduce bus operating times by two minutes within the project limits.

Appropriation authority in the improvement section of the transportation budget which is not used for a specific project may be used by the department for other improvement projects.

Summary of Bill:  The SR 522 high occupancy vehicle lane project through the city of Lake Forest Park is eliminated from a list of projects in the transportation budget to be constructed by the Department of Transportation.  The $3.8 million in funds set aside for that project are made available for other improvement projects.  A reduction in the total appropriation for the improvement program is made due to gubernatorial vetoes in the budget.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.