12/15/04-A group of business, labor and environmental representatives in Washington state are asking the Legislature to make replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the state Highway 520 floating bridge the state’s top priorities for funding.
To help pay for it, the Transportation Working Group urged lawmakers to raise the state’s fuel tax 10 cents over the next two years, which along with other sources, including license- and weight-fee increases, would raise $8 billion over the next decade for road and transit projects across the state.
In addition, the coalition came out squarely in favor of road tolls, mentioning the viaduct and 520 as well as a proposed high-occupancy toll lane on state Route 167.
Leaders told the Seattle Times they hoped to develop a proposal for the Legislature over the next few months.
A 10-cent increase would bring the state fuel tax to 38 cents per gallon. The Legislature raised it to 28 cents from 23 cents last year.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle, said the additional money is badly needed. But he said campaign attacks this fall on lawmakers who voted for the last increase will make it more difficult to raise the fuel tax again.