House Transportation Chair Judy Clibborn has unveiled her proposal for a new transportation revenue package. Her announcement is an important and valuable first step in the conversation of how to make the much-needed infrastructure investments that will make our state economically competitive.

Her proposal relies on a combination of gas tax revenue, a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) increase and truck weight fees—among others—to provide $9.8 billion in transportation investments.

The package provides $1 billion worth of investments to both SR-167 in Pierce County and SR-509 in King County. Her decision to include SR-167 in the proposal reflects the recognition that the project is arguably the largest economic development project in the state, providing job creation opportunities throughout Washington.

It is unclear, however, how much of the $1 billion will be dedicated to SR-167 and what those funds will buy. However, based on the recently completed SR-167 Corridor Completion Comprehensive Tolling Study, a complete connection between Puyallup and Tacoma cannot be achieved with less than $1 billion in funds dedicated exclusively to SR-167. Without that complete connection, the improved mobility, economic vitality, safety and environmental benefits projected by WSDOT cannot be achieved.

So, what is needed for SR-167 completion? According to WSDOT, $1.5 billion would complete the last phase of this thirty year construction project. For $1.2 billion, the SR-167 would be completed minus H.O.V. lanes. One final option would be to spend $1 billion, which would result in one lane only between Tacoma and Puyallup.

Rep. Clibborn deserves applause for her effort to include SR-167 in a substantive way in your proposed revenue package. However, more work is needed to ensure that this highway of statewide significance that has been on the drawing board for decades is finally completed.

Click here for more information on Rep. Clibborn’s funding proposal. For news coverage, check out this story in the News Tribune.