Gas-tax projects widespread; many await regional funding

Although tottering freeways in Seattle hog the attention, a 9 ½-cent boost in the state gas tax will fund dozens of projects across the state.

The list includes creek bridges in timber counties, new ferries, railways, highway lanes in the desert, and a small-town traffic signal. A penny a gallon goes straight into city and county road funds.

Meanwhile, the marquee projects — the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 520 floating bridge — receive only partial funding. They won't get started unless urban voters pass a regional transportation package to cover the rest.

The Legislature's transportation plan puts the region on notice that it needs to come up with its share of local money by January 2007 or risk losing funds for projects.

"I'm not at opposed at all to the deadline," said Metropolitan King County Councilman David Irons, R-Sammamish. "I think it's time to fish or cut bait." Councilman Dwight Pelz, D-Seattle, called the deadline "understandable."

Short-term, the big winners appear to be Eastside drivers on Interstate 405, where $992 million in gas-tax money is enough to complete 12 jobs at several bottlenecks. As of Friday, some Department of Transportation staffers believed they could go full speed ahead once the tax was approved.

However, state Rep. Fred Jarrett, R-Mercer Island, cautioned that without a complete regional plan, the I-405 jobs and other gas-tax projects may not be worth building in isolation. And lawmakers outside the region may be inclined to divert money away from urban Puget Sound if the deadline slips, he explained.

"I think everything's uncertain if the regional bill fails," he said.

Here are some of the more conspicuous projects getting the new gas-tax funds:

Alaskan Way Viaduct: New gas taxes would bring in $2 billion, half the estimated $4 billion to replace creaky Highway 99 with a new roadbed, one-mile tunnel and waterfront seawall. The rest will have to come from urban taxpayers and possibly tolls.

Evergreen Point Floating Bridge: A new, six-lane Highway 520 from Interstate 405 in Bellevue to Interstate 5 in Seattle requires $2.6 billion to $2.9 billion. The tax package supplies only $500 million.

Interstate 405: The tax boost will rake in $972 million for work in several places — starting with $250 million for ramps to eliminate weaving between downtown Bellevue and Highway 520. New lanes would be added in spots, and a partial interchange built at Talbot Road in Renton. But the huge Highway 167 interchange at Renton isn't funded. The gas-tax funds won't raise enough money to widen the tight, six-lane stretch through Newcastle until after 2015.

Interstate 5, Lynnwood: Collector-distributor freeway lanes in both directions at 196th Street Southwest would receive $44 million in gas-tax funds.

Highway 9, Snohomish County: In the fast-growing area, where many highway segments are still two lanes, the gas tax supplies $123 million for widenings and safety projects.

Highway 518, SeaTac: The downhill highway from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Southcenter gets $50 million to add an eastbound lane.

Interstate 5, Federal Way: A proposed interchange, to allow easier access to Highways 18 and 161, will get $100 million.

Interstate 5, Tacoma: Existing Puyallup River bridges are to be replaced, and a new bridge to Highway 167 constructed, with $425 million.

Interstate 90, Snoqualmie Pass: The plan includes $435 million to rebuild and widen the freeway from Hyak to Easton, Kittitas County.

Ferries: Projects include terminal upgrades at Port Townsend, Bainbridge and Fauntleroy, and a new $66 million vessel.

Hood Canal Bridge: The gas tax supplies $162 million toward the $285 million replacement project.

Seismic projects: About $86 million is earmarked for strengthening highways and bridges in the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett metro area.

Interstate 5, Centralia: Freeway expansions between Highway 12 and Centralia would get $160 million.

Interstate 5, Vancouver, Wash., to Portland: The state would use $50 million to design replacement bridges across the Columbia River, a project to be shared with Oregon.

Highway 395, north Spokane: A $150 million gas-tax infusion is to buy land for a future freeway, but won't be nearly enough for construction.

"Blue Bridge," Kennewick: The plan includes $17 million to fix a hazardous interchange next to the Columbia River crossing.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com