The House of Representatives passed a suite of transportation reform bills this morning, paving the way--hopefully-- for consideration of a transportation revenue package.

Here is a quick summary of the four reform bills...

HB 1957

  • Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to seek approval for specific project changes and specifies the process for how project changes are approved.
  • Sets baselines for staffing levels in the highway construction program and for the ferry vessel terminal construction program.
  • Requires the WSDOT to submit a report to the Governor and Transportation Committees of the Legislature on the progress made towards delivery of all projects and activities subject to the bill.
  • Creates expert review panels for the Alaskan Way Viaduct project, the State Route 520 Bridge project, and the Columbia River Crossing project.
  • Requires the WSDOT to use available technologies to minimize permit delays for, inform and interact with interested parties regarding, and optimize effectiveness of compensatory mitigation projects.
  • Requires the WSDOT to consider the correction of fish-passage barriers on city streets and county roads within the same watershed as a proposed project for compensatory mitigation and requires that the WSDOT submit a report to the Legislature regarding the use, effectiveness, and suggested improvements to the mitigation option by December 1, 2014.

HB 1986 requires the Washington State Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature on engineering errors in excess of $500,000.

HB 1988 would encourage right-sizing of transportation projects, setting standards and requiring improved transparency on those right-sizing efforts by WSDOT.

Finally, HB 1978:

  • Creates a seven-step required permitting process for all transportation projects undertaken by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) that require the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act.
  • Requires the Department of Ecology to undertake rule-making and convene a work group regarding local permitting of transportation projects under the Shoreline Management Act.
  • Directs the WSDOT to continue using the multiagency permit program and places various requirements upon the staff and the program.
  • Requires the WSDOT environmental staff to develop all environmental documentation and oversee project work in order to insure environmental compliance.
  • Creates various training, design, and funding requirements related to environmental permitting.

These reforms are positive steps in improving the state's transportation system. They will also hopefully lead to savings for taxpayers. However, they will not generate the $1 billion needed to complete SR-167. Will the Legislature take the next and most important vote? We'll let you know...