2005 State of Mobility Report - City of Bellevue

CHAPTER 2: Regional Transportation Policy and Advocacy
has a demonstrated history of success in securing
federal transportation resources for specific priority
projects that enhance the local transportation
system interface with the regional freeways. Projects,
such as the Access Downtown program and the
NE 10th Street Extension received federal funding,
provide direct access to downtown Bellevue from
I-405 and improve circulation on local roadways.
State Funding Efforts
The most promising action for the future occurred
when the 2005 State Legislature approved a nine
and a half cent per gallon increase in the gas tax. As
previously detailed, a considerable portion of this new
revenue will be directed toward the major corridor
projects of interest to Bellevue. In addition, a small
percentage will be directed to local jurisdictions,
including the City of Bellevue, to replace funding lost
when voters approved Initiative 695.
Support state action that will increase the local
share of the state gas tax.
Comprehensive Plan Policy TR-104
consideration in 2007 in conjunction with the
Sound Transit package. In fact, both must pass for
either to advance. If one passes and the other does
not, then the legislature has mandated that both
packages will have failed.
Regional Projects Advance
As funding becomes available during the next
few years, progress will be made on all three of
the major regional corridors affecting Bellevue’s
local transportation system. Some of the expected
achievements on these corridors include:
I-405
• Construction of at least the initial phase of the
NE 10th Street Extension will be completed in
2007 to match the schedule for the Overlake
Hospital Medical Center/Group Health
Cooperative campus expansion.
• Construction will continue on added lanes
between SR 520 and SR 522 in Kirkland.
Regional Funding Efforts
Much of the future work on the regional level
centers on preparing packages of projects for
voter consideration. First, in 2005, Sound Transit
accelerated planning for Phase 2 of its Sound Move
program, identifying the next set of high capacity
transit projects to be considered by voters in Fall of
2007. Potential new projects include a high capacity
transit system linking Bellevue to both Seattle and
the Overlake/Redmond area. Bellevue would also be
the midpoint destination for a potential bus rapid
transit system on I-405 linking Renton/Tukwila to
Bothell/Lynnwood.
Afternoon congestion on I-405 near SE 8th Street.
• Construction will begin on added lanes between
112th Avenue SE (Newport Hills) and SE 8th
Street.
Second, a package of projects with proposed
funding sources is being refined by the Regional
Transportation Improvement District, following
guidance provided by the 2006 State Legislature.
This revised package will be offered for voter
73 percent of respondents agree
should encourage the state to widen the highways
serving Bellevue.
2005 City of Bellevue Budget Survey
2005 State of Mobility Report Chapter 2 19