Tri-Cities road safety projects should not be held hostage by the state | Editorial

An added state gas tax four years ago was supposed to help pay for important transportation projects statewide.

Two key Tri-City projects were a deteriorating overpass in Pasco and a proposed new Kennewick underpass.

Now those projects are in jeopardy, and so is public trust.

Initiative 976, approved by voters last November, cuts license registration fees to $30 across the state. The loss of revenue in the state transportation budget is expected to be $451 million this biennium.

While I-976 faces a legal challenge in court, legislators are proceeding as if the initiative is in effect and the revenue is gone.

In response to the expected shortfall, Gov. Jay Inslee told the Washington Department of Transportation to flag projects that could be postponed.

About 90 road, rail and transit proposals ended up on the WDOT hold list, including those that are supposed to be funded primarily by gas tax money — not car tab fees.

Unfortunately, the Pasco and Kennewick projects now have been marked for delay unless state lawmakers decide not to raid the gas tax account set up to pay for them.

We sympathize with legislators who now must decide which transportation projects get the green-light and which ones are stalled.

And we understand that public safety is paramount, as is helping the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable people with their transportation needs.

But when it comes to deciding which other transportation projects get the go-ahead, those funded by the 11.9-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase deserve special consideration.

These projects are part of the Connecting Washington package, a program that dedicated money from the tax increase to specific construction around the state. Knowing the tax would help pay for local improvements made paying extra money at the pump more palatable.

That’s what lawmakers told taxpayers at the time. They should not go back on their word — especially since delays will end up making those projects more expensive.

Pasco City Manager Dave Zabell recently told both the House and Senate transportation committees in Olympia that the Lewis Street overpass project is “shovel ready,” and that postponing the construction work will raise the price an extra $100,000 a month.

But even more important, though, is the safety of the public.

Pasco city leaders told the Tri-City Herald Editorial Board they are surprised the Lewis Street overpass was on the list because the current structure is on the verge of failing.

Built sometime in the 1930s, the underpass is deteriorating. Safety railings are crumbling, ancient rebar is exposed and large trucks and buses lose mirrors or scrape the walls as they maneuver through the narrow lanes.

The long-planned project will re-route Lewis Street over the railroad tracks, and construction is expected to cost $25 million.

In addition to a state allocation, the project also is relying on money dedicated by the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board and a grant from the Transportation Improvement Board. Sitting in limbo puts Pasco at risk of losing that money, as well.

Kennewick city leaders also are concerned about losing grants for their Ridgeline project in the Southridge area.

The city managed to get a $1.94 million grant from the National Highway Freight Program, but the money could expire by the end of September if the project is idle.

The plan is to re-route the road under Highway 395 to improve safety, relieve congestion and encourage development, city officials said.

Kennewick was required to put in a local amount of $6 million, and already has spent $2.23 million to complete the design phase.

Like Pasco, a delay will jack up costs.

Kennewick Mayor Don Britain’s letter to Inslee last month said to get a favorable construction bid price and stay within budget, the project must go out for bids early this year.

The city also must secure land for temporary construction easements, and construction must start by April 1. Delays will require re-purchasing the easements at a higher appraised value, the letter said.

We don’t like the idea of lawmakers taking tax money meant for specific projects and using it elsewhere.

Legislators have an obligation to back projects in the Connecting Washington package. If they don’t, the public might never again be sold on the idea of designated funding.

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 1:11 PM.