HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1316

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Transportation Policy & Budget

Title:  An act relating to designation of state route number 35.

Brief Description:  Designating state route number 35.

Sponsors:  Representatives Honeyford, Lisk, Boldt, Sump, Fisher and Dunn.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  2/3/97, 2/4/97 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Blalock, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Buck; Cairnes; Chandler; Constantine; DeBolt; Gardner; Hatfield; Johnson; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Radcliff; Robertson; Scott; Skinner; Sterk; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:  Each state highway numerical designation and location is set forth in statute.  State law also prescribes criteria to guide the Legislature in determining whether to make additions, deletions or changes in the state highway system.  These criteria include:  being part of a national highway system or part of an integrated system of roads connecting population centers, serving a county seat, serving a commercial-industrial terminal, or carrying significant cargo to a port or terminal.  The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is charged with receiving petitions from cities, counties or state agencies for road additions or deletions from the state highway system.

Currently, there are three highway crossings of the Columbia River in the roughly 100-mile long SR 14 corridor between I-205 near Vancouver and SR 97 near Goldendale.  These crossings are the ABridge of the Gods@ at Cascade Locks, owned by the Port of Cascade Locks; the Port of Hood River Bridge at Hood River; and SR 197 near The Dalles. 

The bridge connecting Hood River, Oregon, with the communities of White Salmon and Bingen on the Washington side is a two-lane structure, constructed in 1923.  It is a toll bridge owned by the Port of Hood River,  and is currently being renovated to extend its useful life by 20 years.

Summary of Bill:  A new state route number 35 is added to the state highway system.  The route is to begin at the Washington-Oregon boundary line along the Columbia River to a junction with SR 14 near White Salmon.  No existing route may be maintained or improved by the Transportation Commission as a temporary SR 35 until such time as a bridge is constructed across the Columbia River.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  A new, dependable bridge which meets current design and safety standards is needed at this Columbia River crossing.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Jim Honeyford, prime sponsor; Gerry Smith, Department of Transportation; Mamie Gaddis, White Salmon City Council; and Cecil Jaksha, citizen.