Title: An act relating to the alignment of state route number 290.

Brief Description: Modifying the alignment of state route number 290.

Sponsors: Senator Brown; by request of Transportation Improvement Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/7/05, 2/9/05 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/25/05, 42-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken and Oke.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: Under current law The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is designated as the state agency assigned to review route jurisdiction transfer requests. After soliciting public testimony TIB forwards any jurisdictional transfer requests to the Legislature for review. TIB is recommending that a portion of SR 290 be transferred to the City of Spokane. If a route being considered for transfer is located wholly within one or more contiguous jurisdictions responsibility can remain at the local level, if local officials prefer.

Summary of Bill: The definition of SR 290 is amended. SR 290 would begin at SR 90 in Spokane. That portion of SR 290 currently beginning at SR 2 and ending at Hamilton Street would be transferred to the City of Spokane.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The City of Spokane is in favor of the transfer of this portion of SR 290 as it runs through the heart of the university district (close to Gonzaga and WSU Spokane). This area is also being redeveloped to become more pedestrian and bike friendly. The area is no longer a truck route. WSDOT is in favor of this transfer.

Neighborhoods and students have been included in the redevelopment plans for this area. This area has become a focus for economic development. Transfer of this portion of SR 290 to the City of Spokane would advance various master plans that have been developed for this area.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Brown, prime sponsor; Tom Parker, City of Spokane; Steve Gorcester, TIB.