HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 4184CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO. 4184
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, IN STRONG SUPPORT
OF A 2013 TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT PACKAGE.
WHEREAS, a healthy transportation system is a critical foundation of our state and local
economies and our quality of life, as well as our global position as the nation's most trade-
dependent state; and
WHEREAS, Washington state's transportation system is suffering from disrepair, with a
backlog of maintenance and preservation needs, and data showing that without any new
investments, more than half the pavement on our state roads and highways will be in poor
condition by 2023; and
WHEREAS, failing roads and bridges, congested highway corridors, and bottlenecked
interchanges undermine the mobility of vehicles, buses, and freight-carriers to transport people
and goods; and
WHEREAS, the Connecting Washington Task Force released a report in early 2012,
identifying $50 billion in unfunded transportation needs and recommending an investment of
$21 billion in state funding during the next 10 years for maintenance, preservation, and
strategic investments; and
WHEREAS, investing in maintaining and upgrading our transportation system is a
positive step the Legislature can take to catalyze construction jobs, enhance freight mobility for
our ports, and create a pathway for retaining and growing new jobs for key industry sectors;
and
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RESOLUTION NO. 4184
WHEREAS, through SHB 1954, SHB 1955 and related bills, the 2013 Washington State
Legislature is considering a 12-year, $9.5 billion package of transportation infrastructure
investments; and
WHEREAS, this package provides critical funding for key highway corridor projects
throughout the state, including the Interstate 405/State Route 167 "Connector" and 1-405
Renton-to-Bellevue added capacity, both of which are absolutely vital to relieving congestion
on the state's most gridlocked interchange and highway corridors; and
WHEREAS, the transportation package also provides a direct gas tax distribution that
will provide new funding each year for Renton to maintain local roadways and arterials and to
leverage existing funding; and
WHEREAS, the package also includes local transportation financing options that cities
and counties can submit to their voters for transportation improvements in their communities;
and
WHEREAS, the transportation package additionally invests in grant programs that are
vital for cities and counties, including the Transportation Investment Board (TIB), the Freight
Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB), "Complete Streets," Regional Mobility grants,
Safe Routes to Schools, and Bicycle-Pedestrian Safety; and
WHEREAS, the package also includes direct funding allocations for transit agencies,
including King County METRO, that would otherwise have to make drastic cuts in routes which
carry people to work sites and serve local communities; and
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RESOLUTION NO. 4184
WHEREAS, the City of Renton strongly encourages the Washington State Legislature to
enact a balanced transportation investment package, in Olympia, during the Special Session to
create jobs, relieve congestion, support our businesses, and maintain our quality of life;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. The above recitals are found to be true and correct in all respects.
SECTION II. The Renton City Council takes an official position in strong support of a
comprehensive transportation investment package, including direct funding and funding
options for local governments.
SECTION III. The Renton City Council strongly encourages lawmakers to approve and
enact this package in Olympia.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 20thdayof May , 2013.
Bonnie I. Walton, City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 20th day of May , 2013.
Denis Law, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Lawrence J. Warren, City Attorney
RES.1603:5/15/13:scr
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