April 25, 2009

OLYMPIA…Today the state Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5352, the final version of the 2009-11 transportation budget. Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, commented on the measure immediately following its passage.

“I am very happy that the final budget reinstated many of the 12th District projects that were removed by the House,” said Parlette. “Putting this budget together was made especially challenging by the fact that gas tax revenues are down significantly. The transportation budget we voted on today was very good news for our district.”

The three large George Sellar Bridge projects retained their funding:

• George Sellar Bridge (State Route 285):  Additional eastbound lane construction is scheduled to run from May until winter stops the work; it is slated for completion in 2010.

• West end of the George Sellar Bridge (S.R. 285):  Intersection improvement project is funded and scheduled for construction in 2011. 

• East end of the George Sellar Bridge (State Route 28):  Construction is scheduled for 2010.

Funding is also intact for work at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 97 to Ninth Street (S.R. 28), where stage one and design work is underway. Construction is scheduled for the summers of 2010 and 2011.  

In addition to these projects, a couple new 12th District projects have received federal funding:  

• $736,250 for terminal expansion at Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee; and

• $1.5 million for a historic pipeline/pedestrian bridge in Wenatchee.

Two projects are delayed in the transportation budget:  a paving project at U.S. 97 and Orondo northward and an access control project at S.R. 28 East in Wenatchee.