SR-167 Extension - Will it happen?
Last week’s Environment and Public Works Committee meeting included an update on plans for an extension of SR-167.
The extension, which would connect Puyallup to Tacoma has been in the works for quite a while now. SR-167 as we know it now was completed back in the 80s; the extension was delayed due to lack of funding. A preferred route was identified in 1999. The EIS was completed in 2006. About 70% of the land needed has been acquired. More than $160 million has been spent on the project so far, with more than $1.5 billion still needed to acquire the remaining right-of-way and complete design and construction.
According to last week’s report, completion of the project will require funding from multiple sources, including state gas tax, federal funding, and other sources, but those sources will still not be sufficient to pay for the extension, so WSDOT is looking into the feasibility of tolling to close the funding gap. A preliminary tolling feasibility study has been completed, with a comprehensive report scheduled for completion in December, including an assessment of toll revenues, along with project phasing options and potential costs. Results of the study, including information gathered from public will be submitted to the Legislature. The Legislature must authorize tolling for a corridor before rates can be set and tolls are collected.
Although it won’t be happening in the immediate future, who’s excited for a faster route to and from Puyallup? Would you pay a toll to use it? Will it happen in our lifetime?
Read more on the SR-167 Tacoma to Edgewood project page and share your thoughts with WSDOT at www.wsdot.wa.gov.
Filed under: Transportation, Roads
5 comments
M Michael October 16, 2012
I don’t know if and when 167 will be funded, but if it is, the existing 167 (River Road) ought to be put on a road diet (road diets are popular here this week…). That would allow for a decent amount room for extending the bike and pedestrian trail downriver from Puyallup all they way to the Foss and eventually all the way out to Point Defiance. In other words, this discussion has, or should have, a direct connection to the Schuster Parkway/Walk the Waterfront discussion.
C Chris October 16, 2012
I’m not saying that the economic benefits aren’t demonstrated for warehouse development in the Kent valley. But the “inevitability” of highway projects just seems stronger than it does with transit projects.
But when new highways get built, they encourage faster speeds, which have been demonstrated to encourage sprawl because people can live further away from a person’s intended destination and arrive at the same time as before. Process is related to induced demand, which is well documented.
T Thorax O'Tool October 16, 2012
If this freeway somehow benefited Seattle, it would have already been built.
I’m typically all for things that improve commerce and help things like the Port of Tacoma. But $1,900,000,000? Last I checked, Olympia barely has the money to maintain the existing roads (or so they claim). Why are we spending $billions on building more roads that the state can’t afford to maintain?
X Xenobion October 19, 2012
A disproportionate amount of roads funding goes towards Seattle obviously, but as far as our sister counterpart Everett, they too trump us in the South Sound. 22 light rail stops were planned between Seattle and Everett. 11 between Seattle and Tacoma. The Port of Tacoma is thriving but beginning to become bottle necked and this project needs to happen.
J Jesse October 21, 2012
Imagine what $1.9 billion would do for Tacoma’s current infrastructure of roads, transit, schools, etc. It would be entirely transformative.