S-0761.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5560
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State of Washington 57th Legislature 2001 Regular Session
By Senators Swecker, Rasmussen, Sheahan, Shin, Parlette, Oke, Hochstatter, Stevens and Hewitt
Read first time 01/26/2001. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to an alternative to Interstates 5 and 405; creating a new section; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The department of transportation, in consultation with local officials and residents of the area, shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of creating a new north-south corridor as an alternative to state route 5 and state route 405, which would run from approximately the Canadian Border in the northern portion of the state to approximately Lewis county in the southern portion of the state. The study will be known as the middle Washington corridor study, and the department shall report to the legislature, no later than December 31, 2002, on the feasibility of financing and constructing such a corridor, taking into consideration:
(1) Anticipated present and future freight demand, including freight traffic relief that may be afforded existing state highway and rail routes by the creation of such an alternative north-south corridor;
(2) Anticipated present and future general purpose traffic demand, including general purpose traffic relief that may be afforded existing state highway routes by the creation of such an alternative north-south corridor;
(3) A cost-benefit analysis detailing various funding possibilities, including but not limited to construction and operation of the corridor as a toll facility;
(4) A cost-benefit analysis detailing possible right-of-way locations, including but not limited to property donations, trades, or credits between or among the public and private sector; and
(5) Possible private sector, local, or other partnerships that may be used to fund the project.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2003, from the motor vehicle fund to the department of transportation for the middle Washington corridor study.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2001.
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