Editor’s Note: Roads to Recovery

Each year, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce brings together regional leaders in an effort to build a consensus around the key issues that must be addressed for our region to grow and prosper. Last year, there was broad agreement on the need to keep production of Boeings next-generation 737 MAX airplane in our region, an effort that succeeded thanks to strongsupport from government, labor and industry.
There was also support for a transportation package to raise revenues to improve maintenance of the streets and complete capital projects like the 520 Bridge and Columbia River Crossing, which are so critical to our region. That effort failed in 2012. It must happen in 2013.

The need for better maintenance of our roads is a no-brainer. While many complain bitterly about the condition of the states roads, only about 10 percent are rated as being in poor condition, says Stephen Mullin, president of the Washington Business Roundtable. If our current spending on maintenance continues, however, that amount will rise to 50 percent in 10 years. Poor roads lead to untold damage to cars. And every dollar the state fails to spend to maintain a road, experts say, will result in $6 to $14 spent later to rebuild those roads.

Theres also a need for new revenues to complete many road projects weve already launched to remove bottlenecks and replace aging infrastructure. Traffic congestion gets worse every year as our population increases and our roads deteriorate. That situation puts a heavy burden on commuters and businesses. One study estimated that a 20 percent increase in traffic congestion affecting trucks would increase operating costs of Washingtons freight-dependent industries by $14 billion and result in a net loss to the state of 27,250 jobs.

In 2005, we added 9.5 cents a gallon to the gasoline tax, raising the tax to 37.5 cents a gallon. Adjusted for inflation, the tax was still far below what it was in 1961. That money helped launch projects that addressed transportation needs while also creating jobs. If we hadnt acted in 2005, Washington State Senator Ed Murray said at the Chambers recent conference in Suncadia, our recession would have been much deeper.

There are those in the community who would prefer to see us spend more money on bicycle trails and public transit. But it shouldnt be a question of one or the other. Good roads are fundamental to the health of our state. Its an issue we failed to address in 2012. We must tackle it in 2013.