Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 1431

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Designating certain state routes as highways of statewide significance.

Sponsors: Representatives Sells, Liias, Morris, Clibborn, Eddy, McCoy and Kenney; by request of Department of Transportation.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Designates the following as routes of statewide significance: State Route 11 from Interstate 5 to 12th Street in Bellingham; State Route 529 from the Port of Everett north to I-5 near Marysville; and State Route 599 from Interstate 5 to State Route 99 in Tukwila.

Hearing Date: 1/27/09

Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322)

Background:

An element of statewide transportation planning includes identifying significant state-owned transportation facilities. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) plans for improvements to highways of statewide significance in the statewide multimodal transportation plan. The WSDOT is responsible for establishing levels of service standards for highways of statewide significance. State highways of significance are considered essential public facilities and are therefore exempt from concurrency requirements of the Growth Management Act.

State law directs the WSDOT to periodically review the classifications of state highways and report any recommended changes to the Office of Financial Management and the transportation committees of the Legislature. The WSDOT recommends that a segment of State Route 11, a segment of State Route 529, and a segment of State Route 599 be designated as highways of statewide significance. The WSDOT forwarded these recommendations to the Legislature on December 2, 2008.

Summary of Bill:

The following three segments of Washington highways are designated as highways of statewide significance: State Route 11 from I-5 to 12th Street near the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry terminal in Bellingham; State Route 529 from the Port of Everett north to Interstate 5 near Marysville; and State Route 599 from Interstate 5 to State Route 99 in Tukwila.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.