Washington Business Summer 2018 | Washington Business | Page 47

business backgrounder | economy
Traffic Update
Connecting Washington makes steady progress
as economy, population booms.
Andrew Lenderman
The 2015 Connecting Washington package is already supporting significant investments for a more
efficient state transportation system. About 10 percent is allocated or spent on projects around the
state. And maintenance funding is critical to keep our transportation network safe and reliable.
At A Glance
Three years ago, the
Legislature approved the
biggest transportation funding
and reform package in history.
Known as Connecting
Washington, the package
is beginning to roll out
throughout the state as the
Washington State Department
of Transportation embarks on
projects from the I-5 corridor
and Snoqualmie Pass to
Highway 395 and Highway 12.
Although Connecting
Washington won’t solve all
of the state’s transportation
issues, it is making a difference.
Three years ago, Washington lawmakers approved the biggest transportation funding and
reform package in state history. Known as “Connecting Washington,” state officials are
steadily rolling out improvements to Washington’s transportation system, from Interstates
to bridges, intersections and more.
Nearly 10 percent of the $16.3 billion package has already been spent or committed
to various projects, state transportation officials report. Examples include Interstate 82
improvements, congestion relief projects near Joint Base Lewis-McChord along Interstate
5, and design work for the Puget Sound Gateway project, which includes State Route 167
and a new southern connection to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Projects along U.S.
395 near Spokane and U.S. 12 in Walla Walla County are also underway.
Across the state, 14 highway construction projects worth $1.2 billion are now in progress.
Ten highway construction contracts worth $29 million have been completed since the
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