If Gov. Christine Gregoire, House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown and transportation leaders in both parties are serious about improving highway safety and mobility, they must flex their leadership muscles enough to make it happen.

Rep. Ed Murray of Seattle and Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island have crafted a $7 billion plan that raises the gas tax 9.5 cents over four years — 3 cents each of the next two years, followed by 2 cents and 1.5 cents. The money would be spent to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Highway 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and ease pinch points on Interstate 405, along with improvements to numerous other roads and bridges around the state.

The viaduct and Highway 520 are safety hazards in danger of failure. The state's economic vitality depends on a sturdy and improved transportation infrastructure. Imagine the gridlock and lost productivity if either roadway is disabled.

The revenue package does not rely solely on the gas tax. Weight fees would be imposed on cars, light trucks and SUVs. Tolls will be part of long-term financing for some bigger projects.

Moving forward means taking political lumps for noticeably higher gas prices. Raising gas taxes won't be as easy as it was in 2003 when retail prices at the pump were lower. Lawmakers raised the tax a nickel a gallon and were surprised when the public barely noticed.

Gas taxes are user fees and user fees are a reasonable way to pay for roads and bridges.

Improving transportation requires support from Democrats and Republicans. Traffic jams are bipartisan. Democrats Murray and Haugen have worked well in tandem with Sen. Dan Swecker, Republican from Rochester, and Rep. Beverly Woods, Republican from Kingston.

The House and Senate are poised to make another laudable change by making the transportation secretary report to the governor rather than to the transportation commission. For years, governors and blue-ribbon panels have pushed for this change in governance.

A transportation secretary accountable to a governor makes a governor accountable to a voting public for successes and failures.

The legislative session is scheduled to end in a few days. It is time to step up and make a bold and necessary investment in transportation safety and mobility.