SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8437

BYSenators Patrick, Talmadge, Rasmussen, Vognild and Lee

Resolving to study the development of a wayport in Grant county and high-speed transportation.

Senate Committee on Rules

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

AS OF MARCH 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Seattle-Tacoma Airport is now projected to reach operational capacity by 1995.  There are rising concerns over public safety, the environment, and noise pollution in this congested urban area.

Grant County Airport in Moses Lake has four runways, two in excess of 10,000 feet, with room for expansion on 4,500 acres.  The development of this airfield facility would permit planners to use already sited land space and runways with relatively low development costs and minimum safety hazards and congestion problems.

Wayports and the technology for super speed magnetic-levitation trains are presently being operated and refined in Japan and Germany.

In Washington State, an east/west interconnect by a high speed rail system traveling at 280 MPH will take approximately 45 minutes.

SUMMARY:

A superspeed train operating primarily on existing rights of way along I-90 and I-5 would provide a better link between eastern and western Washington and an increase in economic development across the state.

The Legislative Transportation Committee shall undertake and complete a study by no later than November 1, 1991.  The study shall investigate the development of a wayport in Grant County.  It shall also consider the utilization of super speed magnetic levitation trains or other forms of high speed transportation along the I-5 and I-90 corridors, including the utilization of complementary transportation systems.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested