Issaquah city councillors began the year raising their battle flag on one subject: transportation. At legislative breakfasts, Chamber lunches and other events preceding the beginning of state legislative session, the city officials repeated the need for improvements to the 5th District’s stretch of Interstate Highway 90.
It looks like dreams do come true — or they might, anyway.
The Washington State Senate on Monday passed a $15 billion transportation package 27-22 for improvements and programs for highways, public transit and local roads. The package includes three improvement projects, totaling $126 million, for Issaquah’s portion of I-90. The package must pass the state House of Representatives to go into effect.
Of most direct impact to Issaquah will be an approved interstate justification report for I-90’s access to Front Street, the primary downtown arterial known for becoming heavily congested during daily rush hour. The report will determine whether alteration is needed to the highway’s on and off ramps to Front Street. The transportation package allocates $2.3 million for the project.
The other projects include westbound shoulder hardening from Issaquah to Bellevue, allocated $71.8 million, and eastbound improvements from Eastgate to West Lake Sammamish Parkway, allocated $51.9 million.
The transportation package also includes expansion of I-405 from Renton to Bellevue and funding to complete the State Route 520 bridge.
Forty-first District Republican Sen. Steve Litzow was a co-sponsor of the transportation package.
“Washington needs a 21st Century transportation system that connects our communities,” Litzow said in a press release sent Monday afternoon. “The Puget Sound region is growing rapidly and preparing infrastructure for future growth will not only ease congestion but spur economic development.”
The Reporter has reached out to the office of Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler for comment on the senate passage of the transportation package. This story will be updated as more information comes in.
