Sustainable Transportation Reports

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Executive Summary

Congestion, air pollution, and a crumbling infrastructure continue to threaten Washingtonians' health, safety, and quality of life.

Our next governor will have the opportunity to address these critical problems by promoting transportation policies that move people and goods efficiently, prioritize safety and maintenance, and protect public health and the environment.

After years of political gridlock at the state and local level, it is clear that our next governor must take the lead on transportation issues.

With the 2004 election drawing near, Washington voters deserve to know how each gubernatorial candidate plans to tackle congestion, air pollution, and the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

WashPIRG proposes that these problems can be addressed in the near-term by:

- Expanding the Commute Trip Reduction Program in 2005 by securing an additional $1.5 million so that more people can take advantage of employer-subsidized bus passes and vanpools.

- Saving passenger-only ferry service by securing $3 million in the 2005-2007 biennial budget.

- Supporting Sound Transit's Phase 2 ballot measure to expand high capacity transit in the Puget Sound region.

- Developing a plan in 2005 to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct that sets forth the state's financial share.

We urge each candidate to support concrete steps to protect our environment and quality of life. Washington residents deserve no less.