OLYMPIA -- Rep. Brad Klippert hopes to bring $1.5 million to Benton City for a new roundabout to ease congestion at the exit just off Interstate 82.
Klippert, R-Kennewick, made a formal request Friday to Rep. Judy Clibborn,
D-Mercer Island, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, for the project to be included in the state's supplemental transportation budget for the remainder of the 2009-11 biennium.
But in a year when money is tight and lawmakers are battling a $2.6 billion operating budget deficit, it may be hard to get money for new projects.
"I'm being patient and waiting for my turn to talk to her respectfully," Klippert said of an upcoming meeting with Clibborn. "I'm trying to put myself in a position where I can take good advantage of the opportune moment when it comes."
Klippert also sits on the Transportation Committee and said he hopes majority Democrats will give the project a fair consideration.
"This is our No. 1 transportation priority in Benton County because there's a huge traffic logjam there in the evening when people get off work," he said. "If the current administration uses a fair and balanced approach to the transportation budget, then we certainly should get some money for this project and other projects in the 8th District."
The money would pay to design a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Highway 224 and Highway 225 just off of the I-82 Benton City interchange and buy land for construction.
Troy Suing, a regional transportation planner for the state Department of Transportation, said the department recognizes the need for improvements at the intersection and would like to see the project funded.
"It is a choke point for the region," Suing said.
The roundabout is the first phase in a planned transportation project that eventually would include a new overpass from I-82 to Highway 224 and a Red Mountain interchange that would give highway access to West Richland.
West Richland has wanted a Red Mountain interchange for years in the hope that better highway access to the small growing city will spur economic development.
The interchange also would provide access to the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area, a growing center for the Mid-Columbia wine industry.
Benton City Mayor Lloyd Carnahan said a roundabout at the busy intersection where the interstate exits into town would ease morning and evening congestion as people go to and from work and school.
"It gets pretty well jammed up," Carnahan said.
He also believes an improved intersection would bring more people into town.
"Hopefully some of those people will stop and buy things here," he said. "I think it's going to be a great addition to Benton City. We have needed it for quite awhile."
The 60-day legislative session has been under way for a week and is scheduled to end in March.
-- Michelle Dupler: 360-753-0862; mdupler@tricityherald.com
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