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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane would get $1 billion-plus in transportation proposal

Gas taxes would go up 11.9 cents over 3 years

OLYMPIA — The Spokane area would receive more than $1 billion in road and transit projects if the Legislature musters the votes to raise gasoline taxes by 11.9 cents a gallon over three years. Completion of the North Spokane Corridor would receive some $879 million through 2029 million under the recently negotiated transportation package, which was announced Sunday. Interstate 90 between Barker and Harvard Road would get $26.5 million over the next four years, and the Medical Lake/Geiger interchange project on the West Plains would receive a like amount. The University District Gateway Bridge would get $8.8 million as one of the top tier pedestrian and bicycle safety projects. Improvements worth $17.6 million on US 195 between Colfax and Spangle would take place over six years, and $47 million would be set aside for renovations of the Palouse River - Coulee City Railroad. The Spokane Central Line, a transit project in the city of Spokane, would receive $15 million Full details of the projects were just released and are listed online here. The bill would raise gasoline taxes in stages over three years, to a total of 11.9 cents per gallon. It would also assess a $5 fee on each new studded tire sold after July 1, 2016, and increase weight fees on trucks and passenger vehicles. The $16.1 billion package, which involves separate legislation for new taxes and fees, bonding authority, and list of projects, could come up for a vote later today in the Senate as the Legislature tries to wrap up work after 103 days of its regular session, two 30-day special sessions, and is now in the second day of its third special session. Legislative leaders are counting votes to see if it has enough to pass.
This story is developing and will be updated.