Rep. Melanie Stambaugh applauds passage of legislation to include congestion relief and improved freight mobility in WSDOT’s policy goals
On June 30, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5995, which would modify the definition of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) policy goals to include congestion relief and improved freight mobility. Rep. Melanie Stambaugh, R-Puyallup, who sponsored the House companion bill, House Bill 1939, released the following statement:
“I am pleased congestion relief and improved freight mobility will now become part of WSDOT’s policy goals. These are essential additions to the six goals WSDOT currently considers when planning and carrying out the construction of projects; economic vitality; preservation; safety; mobility; the environment; and stewardship. Going forward, I am hopeful equal consideration of these eight goals will help WSDOT in its efforts to prioritize projects and complete them in an efficient manner.
“In the 25th District, we have seen massive gridlock on our roads and bottlenecks at our ports due to the failure to complete Highway 167. With funding now secured to complete the highway, consideration of congestion relief and improved freight mobility will be vital to its successful completion. This is a crucially important project for Washington state that will create new jobs, minimize delays for our businesses and shippers, and save hundreds of millions of dollars per year in travel time. It is important we complete this project in an efficient and financially responsible way, and I am confident this policy change will help WSDOT accomplish that goal.”
Senate Bill 5995 passed the House, 98-0, and the Senate, 45-0. It now goes to the governor for his signature.