HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-012A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON,
IN STRONG SUPPORT OF A
2013
`IVAEtVAS, 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-
iependent 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
mvestments, 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 peopl*
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
WHEREAS, the 2013 Washington State Legislature is considering a 12-year, $9.5 billion
package of transportation infrastructure investments; and
14 11 tol I jill I I a I$ ma r, 1 Ism I
WHEREAS, the transportation package also provides new funding for Arlington t4,
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 adopt and/or 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 Improvement Board (TIB), the Freight
Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB), "Complete Streets," Safe Routes to Schools, an.41
Bicycle -Pedestrian Safety; and
WHEREAS, the package also includes direct funding allocations for transit agencies,
including Community Transit, that would otherwise have to make drastic cuts in routes which
carry people to work sites and serve local communities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arlington strongly encourages the Washington State Legislature
to enact a balanced transportation investment package, in Olympia, during the Special Session t*
create jobs, relieve congestion, support our businesses, and maintain our quality of life.
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Section 1. The Arlington City Council takes an official position in strong support of a
unding-amiLftimoe.mg opimm,
com�&rehensive transCoortation investment Gtackage, including, direct f
for local governments.
Section 2. The Arlington City Council strongly urges the Legislature to include funding
for critical improvements to SR53 1, a key east -west connector between SR9 and Interstate 5 that
is used daily to transport goods between Arlington based aerospace and other manufacturing
companies to their final destination,, , in the transportation investment package.
SecOlon 3. The Arlington City Council strongly encourages lawmakers to approve and
enact this package in Olympia, if funding for critical improvements to SR531 is included in the
package.
PASSED and APPROVED this 3 d day of June 2013
Marilyn Oertle, Mayor Pro Tern
Ken Klei, t1i 11 V1,
Chris Raezer, Councilmember
CITY OF ARUNGTON
Barb Tolbert, Mayor
."Dick Butner, Cowicilneinber
Del ra Nelson, Cot iicilinember
1611dy'l e erijig, Counciliciiiber
Al " IV! -3111'
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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