One of the things truly remarkable about this year's transportation debate is the unanimity that exists from interest groups that, with other issues, typically are in disagreement.

This morning's Crosscut illustrates that point. John Odland, vice-president of MacMillan-Piper (the largest container freight station in the Pacific Northwest) joined Vince O’Halloran , president of the Puget Sound Ports Council, Maritime Trades Department, AFL-CIO in calling on the Legislature to green-light a new transportation package that would make critical investments in freight mobility.

"We can either invest in critical projects like SR 509 and SR 167, or watch other states and regions pass us by," they wrote. "It's time to take action now."