Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SB 5642
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 state route number 164 as a highway of statewide significance.
Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Berkey and Sheldon.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/17/09
Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322)
Background:
An element of statewide transportation planning includes identifying significant state-owned transportation facilities. The highway facilities so designated are identified in a list of highways of statewide significance. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) works with transportation planning organizations to review the list and recommend changes to the list. These recommended changes are then forwarded to the Legislature for approval. The WSDOT forwarded their most recent recommended changes on December 2, 2008. No routes were recommended for deletion from the list; segments of State Route 11, State Route 529, and State Route 599 were recommended additions to the list.
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.
A route development plan for State Route 164 is being developed and the final plan should be released in winter 2009. A list of improvements has been published but detailed cost estimates have not been released. The WSDOT website indicates that the total cost of the improvements, if built today, would be well in excess of $200 million.
Summary of Bill:
State Route 164, which begins at the junction of State Route 18 in the vicinity of Auburn and runs southeasterly to the junction of State Route 410 at Enumclaw, is designated a highway of statewide significance.
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.