SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5735

BYSenators Peterson, Bender, Tanner, Bailey and Garrett

Establishing revised standards for the issuance of permits for the construction of approach roads on state highway rights of way.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987; March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Smitherman.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Barr, von Reichbauer.

Senate Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

                  March 20, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Transportation is currently authorized to adopt rules governing the grant of permission to construct approach roads upon state highway rights-of-way.  The Department is authorized to set conditions governing construction of culverts, depth of fill over culverts, and drainage facilities.  The cost of construction and maintenance of approach roads is at the expense of the applicant, under the direction of the Department.

Although the statute is not restrictive, the Department has interpreted its ability to set conditions on the construction of approach roads to be limited to the factors specifically denoted above.  Many approach roads (or "driveways") have been permitted which severely impact the free flow of traffic on state highways.

It is felt that, with specific authority to consider additional factors such as safety and operational integrity in determining whether to grant a permit for an approach road, the Department of Transportation could require mitigation measures which could lessen adverse impacts.

This is one of five measures developed by the Task Force on Economic Development/Transportation Issues, established by the Legislative Transportation Committee in 1986, to address the transportation needs arising in areas of rapid economic growth.

SUMMARY:

The rules promulgated by the Department of Transportation governing issuance of permits for construction of approach roads on state highway rights-of-way shall be designed to achieve and preserve reasonable standards of highway safety and the operational integrity of the state highway facility.  Direction to the Department that the rules may address specific engineering requirements such as culverts and drainage facilities is deleted.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Finklestein, Association of Washington Cities; Jim Williams, Washington Association of Counties; John Doyle, Department of Transportation; Steve Callender, Snohomish County Economic Development Coordinator; Alex King Redmond Chamber of Commerce; Wes Bogart, Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation