Dates set for bipartisan statewide transportation forums

August 28, 2013

Senate Transportation CommitteeSenate Transportation Committee co-chairs Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, today announced the dates and cities that will be included in a statewide listening tour aimed at gathering input from Washington residents on building a new package of transportation projects.

Beginning on Sept. 17 in Bellevue, legislators will hold at least one public meeting in each of the Department of Transportation’s six regions. Each meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. and feature presentations from regional transportation officials, as well as opportunity for public comment.

Senate Transportation Leadership Forums

  • Sept. 17 – Bellevue (Northwest Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Stevenson Elementary School, 14220 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA 98007
  • Sept. 18 – Everett (Northwest Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Snohomish County, Robert Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., 1st floor, Everett, WA 98201
  • Sept. 23 – Wenatchee (North Central Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801
  • Sept. 24 – Yakima (South Central Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Yakima Area Arboretum, Garden View Rm., 1401 Arboretum Dr., Yakima, WA 98901
  • Sept. 26 – Tri-Cities 6-9 p.m.
    • Columbia Basin College, Gjerde Center, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
  • Oct. 2 – Spokane (Eastern Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Central Valley High School theater, 821 South Sullivan Road, Spokane Valley
  • Oct. 7 – Vancouver (Southwest Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Department of Transportation Southwest Region Office, 11018 Northeast 51st Circle, Vancouver 98682
  • Oct. 9 – Tacoma (Olympic Region) 6-9 p.m.
    • Evergreen Tacoma Campus, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405
  • Oct. 14 – Seattle 6-9 p.m.
    • First Presbyterian Church, 1013 8th Ave., Seattle
  • Oct. 15 – Bellingham 6-9 p.m.
    • Port of Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225

“What we have right now are critical infrastructure needs across our state and insufficient resources to address them. To be successful in moving forward we know that we’re going to need the support of the public, which is why these meetings are so important,” said King.

“We’re looking forward to hearing from Washington residents on their priorities for our transportation system, as well as sharing some of our thoughts for how it can be improved,” said King, referring to a recently released set of specific reform proposals he and others will be discussing at the meetings.

“Transportation is the backbone to a vital economy, both for jobs and for a strong infrastructure that drives economic development,” Eide said. “We need to make sure the public understands what’s at stake here, and the public needs the opportunity to make their priorities known.”

Eide concluded by noting that all legislators and local elected officials are invited to participate in the bipartisan forums.