HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1667

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.

As Passed House:

February 26, 2011

Title: An act relating to state route number 522.

Brief Description: Concerning state route number 522.

Sponsors: Representatives Kagi, Armstrong, Ryu, Liias, Clibborn, Angel, Goodman, Stanford and Moscoso.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/2/11, 2/8/11 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/26/11, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • States that State Route 522 (SR 522) is a vital transportation corridor and that there is a need to improve safety in the corridor.

  • Expresses intent to fund improvements on the SR 522 corridor.

  • Directs the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to work with the local community and federal government to secure resources to continue corridor improvements.

  • Directs the WSDOT to review projects and prepare a letter to the Legislature regarding unfunded improvements.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Billig, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Asay, Eddy, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Jinkins, Johnson, Ladenburg, McCune, Moeller, Moscoso, Overstreet, Reykdal, Rivers, Rodne, Rolfes, Ryu, Shea, Takko, Upthegrove and Zeiger.

Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322).

Background:

State Route 522 (SR 522) begins at Interstate 5 in King County and goes eastward to the City of Monroe, where it ends at an intersection with State Route 2. In the 2010 Transportation Budget, the Legislature stated that SR 522 is an important link between Interstates 5 and 405 and that the route will be impacted by tolling. Tolling on State Route 520 (SR 520) is anticipated to begin in spring 2011.

Summary of Bill:

State Route 522 is recognized as a vital transportation corridor in the Puget Sound region that is in need of safety improvements. The Legislature expresses its intent to fund improvements to increase the flow of people and goods on this highway. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is directed to work with affected cities, the federal government, and others to secure funding and other resources to continue to make corridor improvements. The WSDOT is also directed to review projects, including business access and transit lanes, so that unfunded improvements can be identified in a future letter to the Legislature.

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.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The purpose of the bill is to focus attention on this corridor and set the stage for future funding. Tolling on SR 520 will cause increased traffic on SR 522. Neighboring communities and major employers support this bill. State Route 522 is a highway of statewide significance and serves as an evacuation corridor. The road carries 48,000 trips per day and is projected to carry 62,000 trips per day in 2026. This is a major freight route. State Route 522 is used by King County Metro and Sound Transit; together, they carry 260 trips per day. The route is parallel to the Burke-Gilman Trail. There are unfunded improvements in Kenmore and Lake Forest Park where bottlenecks occur.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Kagi, prime sponsor; David Baker and Ron Loewen, City of Kenmore; Dr. Don Church, Bastyr University; and Mark Lamb, City of Bothell.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.