Tag Archives: U.S. Highway 2

Hawkins supports the “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package, encouraged by “match” funding available to Confluence Parkway

With nearly $90 million in new funding recently added and made available for the 12th District, the total district benefit approaches $400 million. This includes preservation and maintenance, rail rehabilitation, and grant funding. The plan also includes $640 million for SR-18 widening and $10 million for SR-522, two projects very important to King County and Snohomish County stakeholders in Sen. Hawkins’ future 12th District.

Sen. Brad Hawkins of the 12th District, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, voted for the final “Move Ahead Washington” plan today on the last day of the Legislature’s 60-day session.

The House and Senate transportation negotiators announced their “conference committee” agreement yesterday for Senate Bill 5974, the 16-year, $16.9 billion plan. Hawkins appreciated the approach taken by the negotiators to primarily utilize funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the previously approved Climate Commitment Act, and a $2 billion one-time transfer from the state’s general fund. The package also includes an ongoing commitment from the operating budget for various levels of funding.

While Hawkins wished for stronger language for Confluence Parkway, he recognizes the political challenges associated with including a significant additional project in a plan that had largely been fully negotiated in advance. Hawkins is grateful for the funds set aside in the package to match the federal Infra grant, support intended for the Wenatchee Valley and technically only available to Confluence Parkway and the West Seattle Bridge projects, the latter project of which is already underway and funded.

The underlying transportation plan focuses on preservation and maintenance of the state’s existing system and includes $24 million in direct transit support to Link Transit as part of the $3.5 billion in grant programs that local stakeholders can apply for (roughly $73 million per district over 16 years), and $150 million for railroad rehabilitation in and near the 12th District. Furthermore, the proposal includes $2.3 billion in statewide funding for much-needed preservation and maintenance, the equivalent, on average, of roughly $48 million per district over 16 years.

Hawkins does not favor the $16.9 billion plan’s reliance on a $57-million-per-year transfer from the state’s Public Works Assistance Account. He has long been a supporter of the state public works program. He anticipates, beginning in the next budget cycle, that legislators will restructure the capital budget to remedy funding to the Public Works Assistance Account.

As for the matching funds eligible to Confluence Parkway, much like other items in the 16-year package, the actual appropriations will need to occur in a future year when the project is actually scheduled for construction, likely the 2025-2027 budget cycle.

“These long-term transportation packages have always been somewhat of a ‘leap of faith’ because the Legislature can only allocate funds in each two-year budget, but I sure appreciated the matching funds inserted to help a project like Confluence Parkway,” said Hawkins.

“With any budget or significant bill, there are usually things to like and things not to like, but on balance this long-term plan is a helpful step for the state transportation system and the current and future 12th District,” he added.

Hawkins said he thanks the city of Wenatchee, Link Transit, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier for their direct advocacy with state legislators this session.

“I’m proud of our community for working together at multiple levels of government and across political lines to take a step forward toward something so significant,” Hawkins said. “The Wenatchee Valley has a long and proud history of thinking big, working together, and getting things done.”

$85 million “match” for Wenatchee’s Confluence Parkway included in negotiated “Move Ahead Washington” proposal

$4.5 million also included for a Highway 2 pedestrian undercrossing in Leavenworth

House and Senate negotiators this afternoon released their “Conference Report” for the “Move Ahead Washington” transportation proposal, a 16-year, $16.9 billion transportation investment package negotiated by the legislative transportation committee chairs. The package includes $85 million for an “Infra Grant Match” that state Sen. Brad Hawkins says corresponds to the precise amount needed to complete Wenatchee’s Confluence Parkway (see here, Page 2, Item 42).

The Wenatchee Valley received a federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (Infra) grant in 2021 for a collection of various projects named the “Apple Capital Loop,” which includes Confluence Parkway as the featured project. The $134 million Confluence Parkway project received $49 million in Infra grant awards for that particular portion of the loop projects, leaving $85 million unfunded.

The negotiated proposal also includes $4.5 million for a Highway 2 pedestrian undercrossing in Leavenworth (click here, Item 43).

The negotiated package still needs to receive House and Senate approval, which is expected by tomorrow, the final day of the Legislature’s 60-day session. Per legislative rules, amendments are not permitted for conference reports, just “up or down” votes.

For an aerial image of Wenatchee showing the Confluence Parkway bridge location, click here.

“Many thanks to Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz, Richard DeRock of Link Transit, Jeff Wilkens of the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, who all worked closely with me over the past several weeks to secure funding for this project,” said Hawkins.

“This is a win for legislators and the Wenatchee Valley community, following the earlier success of Congresswoman Schrier securing the federal funds. I’m grateful to Mayor Kuntz and everyone involved for their steadfast support for this project over the past decade,” added Hawkins.

The Confluence Parkway project would help mitigate the growing traffic challenges in north Wenatchee near the Wenatchee River. The project includes a new roadway and new bridge connecting to the U.S. 2/97 interchange and offers benefits for Link Transit, as well as trail and pedestrian modifications. Kuntz, DeRock, and Wilkens highlighted the project in a Feb. 3 PowerPoint presentation to Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias, Hawkins, and others – click here.

 

What supporters are saying:

“Completing the Confluence Parkway is critical to the Wenatchee Valley’s future, and that is the message I conveyed to my friends in the State Legislature in recent weeks. The federal government has already committed nearly $50 million to the project. Now I am thrilled to see that the Legislature is stepping up to fund this important work, too. Thank you to Senator Hawkins for his resolute commitment to getting this done.”

Congresswoman Kim Schrier, 8th Congressional District

 

“We’ve always believed in Confluence Parkway as the region’s proactive plan to support sustainable growth. The $85 million allocation fully funds the project along with local and federal dollars. It has been an all-hands on deck approach to get this project to the finish line and we are so grateful to the State Legislature for investing in the Wenatchee Valley for generations to come.”

Mayor Frank Kuntz, City of Wenatchee

 

“This is a huge win for the Wenatchee Valley. We’re grateful the Legislature stepped forward as a funding partner in the Confluence Parkway project, securing our ability to move forward with this transformative investment in the region’s future.”

Jeff Wilkens, Executive Director of the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council

 

“It is wonderful news to see the State Legislature recognize the critical importance of the completion of the truly multi-modal transportation project that is Confluence Parkway. This unique partnership project will provide real improvements to the pedestrian, bike, and transit users of the transportation corridor in a safe and sensitive manner that respects and enhances the experience of the Confluence area.”

Richard DeRock, General Manager of Link Transit

Hawkins gathers Senate transportation leaders for Confluence Parkway discussion

City of Wenatchee’s Mayor Frank Kuntz, LINK Transit’s Richard DeRock, and Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council’s Jeff Wilkens emphasize the importance of a second bridge across the Wenatchee River.

As transportation leaders in the Legislature move closer to releasing their transportation budget proposal during this year’s legislative session, 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins today brought key leaders of the Senate Transportation Committee, their staff, and local officials together for an important discussion about the Confluence Parkway project in Wenatchee.

In addition to the expected supplemental budget proposal for this session, some lawmakers are discussing the possibility of also unveiling a new, additional set of transportation improvement projects. Hawkins, a member of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, wants the Confluence Parkway project to be in the mix.

“Legislators are getting closer and closer to developing the next statewide transportation investment package, so we need to communicate how important the Confluence Parkway is to our community’s future,” said Hawkins.

The meeting, held via Zoom, included Hawkins; new Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias, D-Everett; Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima and Republican leader on the Senate Transportation Committee; Wenatchee Mayor Frank Kuntz; Laura Merrill, executive services director for the city of Wenatchee; Jeff Wilkens, executive director of the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council; Richard DeRock, general manager of LINK Transit; Kelly Simpson, senior staff coordinator and counsel for the Senate Transportation Committee; Jenna Forty, staff analyst for the Senate Transportation Committee; Hannah McCarty, senior transportation policy counsel to the Senate Democratic Caucus; and Martin Presley, transportation policy counsel for the Senate Republican Caucus.

“I’m grateful for the extended conversation today and for the many people who participated,” said Hawkins. “The timing was strategic in that discussions will likely take place in the coming weeks or months about identifying needed transportation projects in Washington. I want Senator Liias, the new chair of the Transportation Committee, to know how important this is to our valley.”

Liias assumed the role of Senate Transportation Committee chair following former Sen. Steve Hobbs’ appointment as Washington’s secretary of state.

The $134 million Confluence Parkway project would help mitigate the growing traffic challenges in north Wenatchee near the Wenatchee River. Funding includes $49 million from a recent federal grant, leaving $85 million needed to complete construction. The project includes a new roadway and new bridge connecting to the U.S. 2/97 interchange. Kuntz, DeRock and Wilkens highlighted the project in a PowerPoint presentation – click here.

 

Hawkins proposes Highway 2 traffic flow and safety bill

In an effort to improve traffic flow and safety along U.S. Highway 2 between Wenatchee and Monroe, 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins has introduced a measure to identify improvements for preservation, maintenance, and new projects for the curvy and congested highway.

Hawkins, a member of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, has proposed the bill with his colleague, Sen. Keith Wagoner of the 39th District. The two senators serve neighboring legislative districts now but are expected to share communities along Highway 2 in the coming year following the completion of the state’s redistricting process.

“Communities along the corridor have expressed growing concerns about safety and traffic flow,” Hawkins said. “Everyone knows Highway 2 is dangerous and congested, so let’s hear from the communities, assemble the information we have, and identify needed improvements.”

Hawkins’ proposal, Senate Bill 5603, calls for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to conduct public outreach with communities along the highway, including public meetings involving Wenatchee, Cashmere, Leavenworth, Skykomish, Index, Gold Bar, Sultan, and Monroe. The bill also calls for WSDOT to report to the Legislature by Dec. 1, 2022, with a summary of existing analysis along the corridor and recommended investments.

The timing of WSDOT’s report to the Legislature’s transportation committees is critical, Hawkins says, because he believes the Legislature will consider the next large-scale transportation package one year from now during the 2023 session.

For Hawkins, projects like Wenatchee’s Confluence Parkway – the proposed second bridge across the Wenatchee River – will continue to be a high priority while also supporting the needs of other communities, like those along Highway 2 and other areas in his district. Hawkins said he is thankful that the Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council completed a US 2 Upper Wenatchee Valley corridor study in April 2020 for a portion of the highway, identifying potential improvements near Leavenworth.

Hawkins has prefiled the bill for consideration in the 2022 legislative session, which starts Jan. 10.

West Cashmere Bridge awarded key state grant

State Sen. Brad Hawkins says he is thrilled that the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) has awarded Chelan County a $3 million grant toward its efforts to complete the West Cashmere Bridge Replacement Project.

The project has now received local, state, and federal appropriations and funding awards of $23 million. Replacing the 86-year-old bridge, which carries Goodwin Road over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line and the Wenatchee River west of Cashmere, is expected to cost between $23 million and $25 million.

The project has long been a high priority with local officials, who worry the U.S. 2/West Cashmere Bridge may fail to the point of closure within a few years. Weight restrictions placed on the bridge for safety reasons already force heavy trucks to move through downtown Cashmere – including hundreds of trucks each week associated with Crunch Pak, the packaged-fruit company that is the city’s largest employer.

“This is a huge win for Chelan County and the Cashmere community. I am very thankful to FMSIB for recognizing the need for this project and to the many people who have helped make this opportunity successful,” says Hawkins, the 12th District senator who was a part of efforts in 2017 to build momentum for the bridge replacement.

A 2017 meeting between “bridge ambassadors” from Cashmere and Chelan County and Senator Curtis King of Yakima (right), then-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, was key to securing support for the US 2/West Cashmere Bridge replacement.

Hawkins credited a meeting between local ambassadors and the Senate and House transportation committee chairs in 2017 as the key to securing a $2 million transportation budget appropriation, outside of a gas-tax package, in the 2017-19 transportation budget.

That local contingent, comprising representatives from Chelan County, city of Cashmere, Cashmere School District, Port of Chelan County, Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council and Crunch Pak, had joined Hawkins at the Capitol to make the case for additional state funding.

The FMSIB, funded through the state transportation budget, awards grants to assist with freight mobility and lessen the movement of freight in communities.

“In the process of advocating for the $2 million funding in 2017, the Senate Transportation Committee chair directed our group to the FMSIB process. I was optimistic about the possibilities and am very thankful the county pursued it wholeheartedly. Congratulations to them. No doubt, this is awesome news,” said Hawkins.