Published July 16 2015
City officials say the state transportation and capital budgets recently approved by the state Legislature and signed into law this week by Gov. Jay Inslee will have a tremendous positive impact for Bellevue.
City officials, including Councilmember John Chelminiak, City Manager Brad Miyake and other staff were on hand Wednesday in Seattle as Inslee signed the 2015 Transportation Investment Package of three bills.
They include major investments in Interstate 405 and SR 520, regional pedestrian and bicycle trails in Bellevue and the ability to enhance high-capacity transit in the Puget Sound region, pending a public vote. In addition, Inslee inked a separate capital budget that supports several projects that will benefit the city's youth.
"This transportation budget is a major win for Bellevue residents and people who visit the city each day using state highways, local streets, transit and regional bike trails," said Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to Rep. Judy Clibborn and other local legislators who helped make these long-awaited and much-needed improvements a reality."
In addition to Clibborn, those state legislators include fellow 41st District Rep. Tana Senn, Rep. Ross Hunter and Rep. Joan McBride (48th District), Sen. Steve Litzow (41st District) and Sen. Cyrus Habib (48th District).
Deputy Mayor Kevin Wallace added his appreciation. He said funding statewide transportation improvements through a gas tax increase is a tough decision for elected officials, but in this case it was absolutely the right call.
"Bellevue is the economic heart of the Eastside, and with three major highways passing through, it's also the transportation hub of the Eastside," Wallace said. "Funding the expansion of I-405 from Bellevue to Renton is critical and will improve both the quality of life and economic well-being of all who travel this vital corridor."
The transportation package passed by the Legislature and signed into law Wednesday by Inslee, totals $16 billion over 16 years. It also balances the investments in highways, roads and trails by authorizing Sound Transit to place a ballot measure before voters to fund a $15 billion expansion of the regional light rail system and other transit improvements.
Projects of particular interest to Bellevue include:
- $1.64 billion for SR 520 to complete projects at the west end of the floating bridge;
- $1.22 billion to complete projects on Interstate 405, between Bellevue and Renton;
- $40.9 million to improve the interchange on SR 520 at 124th Avenue Northeast;
- $14 million for the Mountains to Sound Greenway trail section in Bellevue; and
- $2.8 million for the SR 520 Regional Bike Trail in Bellevue.
In the capital budget, which funds non-transportation construction projects, Bellevue organizations will benefit through funding for several projects focused on young people. They include:
- $2 million for the KidsQuest Museum project;
- $1.5 million for the City of Bellevue's Meydenbauer Bay Park project;
- $1.5 million for the Inspiration Playground project at Downtown Park, a partnership between the Rotary Club of Bellevue and the City of Bellevue;
- $1.2 million for the Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue's Main Clubhouse project; and
- $1.2 million for the Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue's fieldhouse project at Hidden Valley Park.
According to Inslee, the package represents the single biggest investment in transportation in state history, providing jobs, safety and traffic relief.