The city of Issaquah’s transportation bond, Prop. 1, won’t relieve traffic congestion, but it still deserves a yes vote.

Prop. 1 is about helping traffic move smoothly and safely. It is about playing catch up on a whole lot of projects that haven’t been funded previously.

A citizen task force studied the needed road projects and prioritized them. The City Council has proposed the ones they feel give us the most bang for the buck — now.

There are other steps city leaders and citizens can take:

• Push, push, push for the state to complete the widening of Highway 18 and its I-90 interchange, sooner than later. Don’t let up until it’s done.

• Protest nearby growth. The Maple Valley area is already impacting Issaquah with commuters using the Issaquah-Hobart Road. Thousands more homes are projected along Highway 169. Issaquah’s voice should be heard loud and clear about impacts to our city before developer permits are issued.

• Protest city growth. Can the city set a limit on how many housing units it will accept each year, while still meeting its quota for the Growth Management Act?

When Sammamish Plateau Water was short on water, it doled out a limited number of permits each year. The city should look at this possibility while it works on the long list of needed road projects.

• Begin a public information campaign that will encourage drivers to change their habits. Issaquah is a pleasure to drive between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. Which drivers can shift their schedules?

How many parents will make students ride the school bus? Which commuters are willing to discuss alternate work schedules with their employers?

• Transit center parking lots are often overflowing. There is plenty more parking available at home, in the driveway!

But the city needs more collector buses between neighborhoods and the transit centers so commuters can leave their cars at home.

Let’s keep the conversation going, but start with a yes vote for Prop. 1. It takes a village to build solutions.

Debbie Berto

Issaquah