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Snohomish Chamber of Commerce – Transportation/Legislative CIA Meetings

Chamber Members, Government Leaders and General Public are invited to be a part of the team.

Meet:  2nd Wednesday of the Month – 11:45 a.m. Luncheon – Collector’s Choice Restaurant.

Transportation/Legislative BLOG – www.cityofsnohomish.com

Snohomish Chamber CIA Advocacy Team – Focus Update

1.  Transportation – SR 9 and US 2

     As Transportation Safety and Capacity Projects begin this Spring on SR 9 and US 2 we watch to see                   what impact will result to relieve the traffic congestion that plagues access to the City of Snohomish.        Here are the Facts we need to face:  (Resources: DOT reports, US 2 Safety Coalition Web-site)

• US 2 and SR 9 services an average of 63,000 vehicles per day in the Snohomish access areas. 
• The DOT will begin the project to Widen SR 9 from SR 96 to Marsh Road and reconfigure the Airport Way intersection this Spring at a cost of $51.8 million. There are No plans to improve the SR 9 north of the Marsh Road to Lake Stevens.
• Total Cost of the 11 - SR 9 Snohomish County planned projects $135 million
• DOT has identified 56 projects needed to improve safety and Capacity on US 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass.  10 of these projects are in Section 1 from Snohomish to Monroe.  The largest being the intersection at Bickford and US 2.  The price tag is estimated at $60 million.
• In 15 years the capacity of this US 2 section has increased 172% and projected by 2030 to reach 60,000 cars per day.
• $2 billion dollars is the estimated for the overall improvements recommended for U.S. 2 between Snohomish and Stevens Pass.
• The Legislature set aside $14 million for U.S. 2 safety improvements this year.

2.  East Snohomish County Commuter Rail Service

• Snohomish County is stepping in to investigate Eastside commuter rail between Bellevue and Snohomish.   The Port of Seattle’s purchase of this rail corridor from Renton to Snohomish is scheduled to be completed in September 2008.  Cost estimate to include rail service in the proposed trail use of this corridor, $250 million over and above the Port’s purchase price. 
• Momentum is gathering in support of commuter rail use between Sultan and Everett, with a transfer station between North/South and East/West Commuter lines at Snohomish.  There are no cost estimates on this proposal, but near future implementation is possible.

Evaluation: 

• The State has overlooked the need to solve the bottleneck of traffic that will continue to plague Snohomish between Marsh Road and Lake Stevens on SR 9.

• Of the 10 safety/Capacity projects identified on US 2 in the Snohomish Sector, none have been funded. 

• N/S – E/W Commuter Rail Service to alleviate traffic congestion is a viable and cost effective remedy to the current and future transportation needs of East Snohomish County.

3.  Transportation Benefit Districts. 

The Legislator has granted the opportunity for Transportation Benefit Districts to be formed by Counties and Cities.  The funding will come from an additional $20 annual vehicle License Fee.  Implementation has not yet been approved in Snohomish County.  If the City of Snohomish approved collection of this fee for registered vehicles within our City Limits an estimated $160,000 would go to transportation related projects, which could include trails.  The CIA committee will be receiving additional information in the coming weeks.