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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Bridging the Gap: Mayor proposes major initiative to fix our roads, bridges, sidewalks and trails
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
5/22/2006 12:20:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gregg Hirakawa, SDOT, 684-8540
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Bridging the Gap
Mayor proposes major initiative to fix our roads, bridges, sidewalks and trails
SEATTLE- Mayor Greg Nickels unveiled a 20-year plan today that will eliminate Seattle's $500 million transportation maintenance backlog and make investments in major transportation projects such as fixing the Mercer Mess.
Nickels' transportation plan addresses mounting problem over the past 35 years from declining transportation investments and deferred maintenance. The plan will go to the City Council for review and consideration for placement on the fall ballot.
"Today, I'm proposing a way out of the fix we're in," said Nickels. "Every neighborhood in the city will see improvements. People will have a better experience, whether they're getting around by bike, bus, car or foot."
The mayor's package will eliminate the current $500 million backlog in transportation maintenance projects. If approved, projects the city would fund include:
- Installing or replacing 80 pedestrian signals annually
- Improving or constructing sidewalks at 60 schools
- Rebuilding 400 lane miles of Seattle roadway
- Doubling the amount dedicated for road resurfacing
- Repairing or rebuilding seismically vulnerable bridges
- Completing Seattle’s urban trail network
- Replacing 17,000 street name signs
- Removing graffiti from traffic signs within 48 hours
- Increasing street sweeping in neighborhood business districts
The mayor's transportation initiative will also provide money for major projects such as widening and rehabilitating the South Spokane Street Viaduct and constructing a South Lander Street Bridge, and improving the Mercer Street corridor.
In addition, the city would renovate King Street Station as a transit hub, and improve numerous transit and traffic corridors including Aurora Avenue North, First Avenue South, Northgate Way, Montlake Avenue, Greenwood Avenue North, Rainier Avenue South, West Seattle/Fauntleroy, and 15th Avenue Northwest/Elliott Avenue West.
"Now is the right time to bridge the gap," said Nickels. "Our citizens understand the need. This backlog has been growing for far too long and the public is tired of half measures. It's time to get our roads working again and create a better link between funding and those who use our roads."
Currently, one-third of Seattle's bridges need major repair or replacement, and two-thirds of Seattle primary streets are past their design life. Furthermore, one-third of city sidewalks are in poor condition, and most of the city's 586 retaining walls, which were designed to last 40 years, will not be replaced for 250 years.
"We are traveling on borrowed time," said Mayor Nickels. "City crews work hard to keep our roads and bridges safe for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians. But at some point people have to face facts. We need to repair or construct sidewalks so our children can get to schools. We need to speed up transit moving through the city to improve convenience and reliability. We need to improve bike safety and pathways. And we need to start rebuilding our streets and bridges."
Earlier this spring, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) held public meetings around the city to gather citizen input on transportation priorities, and possible revenue sources to fund transportation improvements. More than 500 people attended the five public meetings. Another 250 people provided comments online. The mayor also received advice from a 15-member Citizen Advisory Panel.
"We asked citizens about the situation and they told us three things," said Mayor Nickels. "First, we needed to improve Seattle roadways, sidewalks, and bike paths. Second, property owners should not bear all the costs. And third, go beyond basic maintenance."
The mayor's 2006 Transportation Initiative proposes to raise $65 million in the first year through a levy lid lift, a commercial parking fee, and a business transportation tax.
The levy would cost the owner of a median-valued Seattle home about $195 the first year.
The commercial parking fee would levy 10 percent fee on motorists using commercial parking lots, and generate approximately $13 million annually. The business transportation tax would levy a $25 fee for every full time equivalent employee, and generate approximately $5.5 million dollar annually.
The city has faced declining dedicated transportation funds over the past 35 years. Because of court decisions, citizen initiatives, and the state's funding formula, dedicated transportation revenue has fallen to $13.1 million this year, from $37.5 million in 1995.
"We need to cure our ailing transportation system, not just address the symptom, such as filling potholes," Nickels said. "It is time to make our Pothole Rangers the Maytag repairmen of Seattle."
To find out more about Mayor Nickels' 2006 Transportation Initiative, visit http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/issues/streets/.
Get the mayor's inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm.
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Office of Mayor Greg Nickels
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