While the state legislature is on a brief break between sessions, we wanted to take a moment to call out some additional supporters who have thrown their weight behind the completion of SR-167. The first is the Washington State chapter of NAIOP-- the commercial real estate development association. In a letter to the Port of Tacoma, chapter president Glenn Amster noted that "Freight mobility and efficient access to the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma from the SER 167 corridor is increasingly important. The expansion of the Panama Canal will place more competitive pressure on the ports and our region as we seek to maintain and grow the amount of seaborne commerce that passes through our region." NAIOP urged lawmakers to appropriate the necessary funds for construction of SR-167.

The Pierce County Regional Council agrees. The Council-- which represents 23 cities and towns, Pierce County, 2 transit agencies, the Port of Tacoma, and over 808,000 citizens of the State of Washington-- called on the Legislature to pass a transportation revenue package. "[T]here is no better infrastructure investment opportunity for Washington taxpayers than the completion of the Puget Sound Gateway Project [which includes SR 167]."

Here are the full letters by PCRC and NAIOP...