Transportation budget includes funding for Wauna Curves/Purdy

April 24, 2009

OLYMPIA — The 2009-11 transportation budget includes a total of more than $7.5 million for safety improvements to Highway 302 in Purdy and along the Wauna Curves.

“This is a top highway safety priority in our area, and I’m really excited that we’ve managed to include this in the final budget,” said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who serves on the Senate Transportation Committee.

The governor’s proposed transportation budget reduced funding for work on the high-accident area around the Wauna Curves, but the transportation budget agreed upon by the House and Senate restored that funding and expands the scope of the project to ensure that vital safety enhancements and congestion relief are accomplished at both Wauna and Purdy.

The budget includes three important elements for the State Route 302 corridor. First, over $7.5 million was provided for safety and congestion improvement work on State Route 302 between Purdy and the Key Peninsula Highway, including the area known as the Wauna Curves. Second, the budget also includes continued funding for a safety improvement study for Highway 302 between State Route 16 and Elgin Clifton Road. Third, the project is made eligible for federal safety funds, directing the Department of Transportation to work with the Traffic Safety Commission to consider getting this stretch designated as a safety corridor.

“This is progress for every person that drives on this corridor. With these improvements, I’m hopeful that we’ll see a reduction in congestion and a reduction in accidents,” Kilmer said.

Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, pointed out that while the improvements close to home were something that he was excited about, he was equally encouraged to see regional highway projects that would help enhance safety and relieve congestion throughout the region.

“Peninsula area drivers who commute are going to see benefits in highway improvement projects all the way through Tacoma,” said Seaquist. “They’ll eventually have a better commute thanks to improvements to the Nalley Valley Viaduct and on I-5 all the way through Fife to the King County line — and lots of construction means lots of jobs, which is something our region can definitely use.”

# # #

For interviews: Sen. Derek Kilmer, 360-786-7650
For more information: Steve Breaux, 360-786-7330
Website: www.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/senators/kilmer/

For interviews: Rep. Larry Seaquist, 360-786-7802
For more information: Andrew Dziedzic, 360-786-7218
Website: http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/seaquist/