The gas tax cometh

Washington lawmakers are pondering another increase in the gas tax to improve roads, bridges and public transportation. If increased funding for transportation sounds redundant, it is not.

Our state has a backlog of major projects, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass and bridges everywhere that require seismic and structural upgrades. "No general tax increase" is the right mantra for the operating budget. But gas taxes for transportation are different; they are user fees tapped to improve infrastructure.

Senate transportation leaders are expected to offer a proposal to increase the gas tax 2 cents the first year, followed by another 2 cents the next year. There also will be a request to adjust the increases for inflation to assure purchasing power of the tax doesn't decline. That, too, is worth doing.

Many Washingtonians will furrow their brows and say, didn't the Legislature already raise gas taxes? Yes, in 2003, lawmakers raised the tax 5 cents, but that was never expected to cover mega-projects.

Referendum 51, which would have increased the gas tax 9 cents, failed miserably on the ballot the year before.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct has structural problems and may not survive another major earthquake. The responsible approach is to redo the roadway before it falls down.

The same applies to the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. Experts have said repeatedly support systems may not be sufficient to protect the bridge in a major storm or earthquake.

The needs abound and include structural changes to allow passage across Interstate 90 at Snoqualmie Pass during winter storms, bridges that need upgrades and the Interstate 5 bridge to Oregon, although the latter likely will be paid for with tolls.

Tolling ultimately will be part of funding for many larger projects. Tolls are another equitable way to pay because people who drive more, pay more.

Shoring up the transportation system is not for the fainthearted. It will take political courage and understanding from motorists that they have to pay to improve the state's infrastructure.