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Project Funding

$29 million is needed to complete Phase 1

Requesting Funds from 2009 Federal Highways Reauthorization

WSDOT is designing a six mile long first phase of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project. But only the first five miles is currently funded with state dollars. We need an additional $29 million in 2009 to complete Phase 1, which would extend it to the end of Lake Keechelus. Constructing it now saves money, as it avoids price inflation of delaying, and will have economies as part of the contract for the first five miles. The benefits of extending Phase 1 to a full 6-miles include:

	Traffic Efficiency The extended project adds lanes and widens shoulders along a 2.8 mile stretch near Keechelus Dam.
	Safety for motorists and wildlife The project includes the wildlife overpass at Rock Knob, which is designed to reduce elk and vehicle collisions on this segment of roadway, while improving long-term wildlife connectivity between the north and south Cascades.
	Moves project of statewide importance forward This funding builds upon $525 million in state funding already committed to construct a 5-mile portion of this project allowing more of the total 15-mile project to be completed. The entire 15-mile project will dramatically improve the movement of people and goods in the state’s busiest corridor between eastern to western Washington.

In January 2008, a letter was sent to Congressman Doc Hastings about this funding shortfall from leaders in Kittitas County such as the Ellensburg City Manager, Central Washington University, Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce and all 3 County Commissioners. The letter requests the Congressman's leadership in securing $29 million for this project in the 2009 re-authorization of the federal highway bill.  Click here to download a PDF of the letter.

In April, the Washington Potato Commission sent a similar letter to Doc Hastings supporting the additional needed funding.  Click here to download a Word Doc of the letter.

The project is in Congressman Hasting's district but also has statewide significance. We urge all Washington elected officials with a role in the 2009 highway bill's re-authorization to find funding to meet this shortfall for a 6-mile Phase 1 and hope to build a momentum for future funding of additional phases of this critical project.

Click here for a one-page printable version of this funding request information (front page and back page).

Take a virtual tour fly over of a full 6-mile Phase 1 by clicking here.

"As you know, the Washington State potato industry is worth in excess of $3.4 billion to the State’s economy and provides more than 20,000 jobs. Our growers and packers depend on shipping their product over the Snoqualmie Pass in both directions. Premium red potatoes from Skagit Valley travel to markets on the east coast; fresh russets travel to restaurants and produce distributors in Seattle and other west coast cities via Interstate 5; and our processed products need to get from Eastern Washington to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma in a timely manner. Nearly a third of all U.S. potato exports are Washington potato products....We hope that your continued support of Washington agriculture will include securing the necessary funds in the 2010 highway bill or any other opportunity to make I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass a safe and efficient all-weather conduit for Washington commerce and citizens."

- Excerpt from WA Potato Commission letter to Congressman Hastings