Gregoire Targets Transportation

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire is looking for a new source of revenue to help pay for transportation projects.

The Democratic governor has formed a committee to develop a long-term strategy to fund transportation, according to a statement Monday from her office.

“With so many needs on the horizon, it is clear a long-term transportation investment strategy with new revenue is necessary,” the statement said.

The governor said 92% of the state’s transportation projects funded by major revenue packages approved by voters in 2003 and 2005 will be under contract or complete by 2013.

Washington still needs to find ways to fund major projects such as replacing the State Route 520 bridge across Lake Washington and the Interstate 5 Columbia River crossing, according to the statement.

The state’s ferry system faces a $1 billion shortfall over the next 10 years, Gregoire said.

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Transportation industry
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