Special thanks to senators Randi Becker and Joe Fain and representatives Hans Zeiger, J.T. Wilcox, Cathy Dahlquist, Pat Sullivan, Dave Upthegrove, Katrina Asay and Judy Clibborn for attending today’s South Sound Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition's forum in Auburn discussing the need for critical transportation investments.

A consistent message from forum speakers was the importance of completing State Route 167. As Bruce Kendall from the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County noted, “SR-167 is the backbone of the South Sound economy. Without SR-167 we cannot compete economically. The idea of it dead ending in Puyallup was a bad idea 30 years ago and it is still a bad idea."

Jim Tutton of the Washington Trucking Association agreed: “SR-167 is direly important. We have got to get it done.”

Or, put more succinctly by John Parrot of Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE): “What will help trade in Washington? Three things: SR-167. SR-167. SR-167”