University Bridge is one of the bridges ranked in poor condition and in need of significant maintenance work. (Photo by Doug Trumm)
On Wednesday, the Seattle City Council’s transportation committee will vote on Chair Alex Pedersen’s amendment altering spending priorities for the $20 vehicle license fee (VLF). Passed by the Council in November, the fee is expected to pull in $7.2 million per year.
While Pedersen’s amendment appears to have five votes via the five sponsors backing it Pedersen, Andrew Lewis, Lisa Herbold, Teresa Mosqueda, and Debora Juarez a committee recommendation isn’t assured. Only Pedersen and Herbold are members of the transportation committee, while Juarez is an alternate. Plus, some sponsors could change their mind and oppose the plan. Six Council votes and the Mayor’s signature are needed to ultimately approve bonding, and it’s not clear he has them.
$23.7 million will come back for transit service and projects
Funds had been reserved during I-976 court battle; Signal improvements coming to 15th NW and NW Market Street
Mon, 02/01/2021
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has announced a proposal to invest $23.7 million in funding back into an array of transit service and mobility improvements consistent with the will of Seattle voters when they supported
Seattle Transportation Benefit District (STBD Proposition 1). These funds represent the amount collected but held in reserve while the Washington Supreme Court considered the legality of the Tim Eyman s Initiative 976 (I-976).
“Even before the pandemic and economic crisis, Seattle’s transportation budget was unnecessarily decimated by I-976 and our residents and businesses have felt the real impacts of cuts. Justice for Seattle voters prevailed when the Supreme Court struck down I-976, and now we are moving forward with a plan to invest these funds in improved transi