Sound Transit and RTID Kick Off Public Meetings for Roads & Transit Ballot Measure

Officials from Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) today announced a series of public meetings throughout the region and emphasized the urgent need to finalize a comprehensive Roads & Transit ballot measure. The meetings are an opportunity for the public to help shape the comprehensive regional transportation package that will go before voters in November 2007.

“We must keep moving on solving our transportation problems quickly before escalating costs drive critically needed projects out of reach. Delay is not an option, and it’s getting more expensive every day,” said RTID vice chair Julia Patterson. “We’re working hard to finalize the regional transportation proposal, and need the public to weigh in on their priorities before critical decisions can be made,” said Connie Marshall, Sound Transit vice chair.

Five Roads & Transit meetings will take place around the region in September and early October, providing a chance for community members to hear directly from elected officials and staff working on the plan, ask questions, and offer their thoughts. Each of the open house-style meetings will take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with a presentation at 6 p.m.

September 13
Meydenbauer Center
11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue

September 20
Union Station
401 S Jackson St, Seattle

September 25
Tacoma Main Public Library
1102 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma

September 27
King County Aquatic Center
650 SW Campus Drive, Federal Way 

October 3
Edward D Hansen Conference Center
Everett Events Center
2000 Hewitt Ave, Everett

Community members can also visit www.soundtransit.org/st2 or www.rtid.org to find out details of the proposed projects and provide input. Comments can be sent by mail to Sound Transit at 401 S Jackson St, Seattle WA 98104 or RTID, 411 University St Ste 1200, Seattle WA 98101

Travel in the Puget Sound region will become even more challenging over the next 25 years, when 1.2 million more people are expected to be living here. The Roads & Transit partnership is taking action by identifying the projects needed to address traffic growth, improve safety and keep people and freight moving in the most congested corridors, especially during peak commute times. See attached map. Proposed transit investments include light rail extensions north, south and east and improvements to commuter rail and express bus services. Proposed road investments could include replacing aging structures such as the Alaskan Way Viaduct and SR-520 floating bridge, expansions of I-405, SR-167 and new connections in Pierce County across Fort Lewis to I-5. Snohomish County investments could include the US 2 trestle, SR-9 and other key east/west corridors.

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Sound Transit plans, builds, and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.