Seattle looks for voter approval on $1.35 billion transportation plan

Seattle voters this fall will decide on a proposal to renew the city’s transportation levy.

The proposed eight-year, $1.35 billion levy, which would be funded through taxes paid by Seattle property owners, includes proposed plans for major improvements to streets and bridges and projects to optimize connectivity in the Pacific Northwest’s most populous city.

Seattle’s current $930 million transportation levy, which expires this year, provides roughly 30% of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s budget.

Transportation levies have funded basic transportation services for the past 18 years. The proposed levy, which would be the largest in the city’s history, would reportedly add $144 to a median homeowner’s annual property tax bill.

The city is soliciting public feedback on the draft proposal through April 26, Mayor Bruce Harrell said. City council will review the proposal this summer and consider its referral to voters.

“Seattle residents want a transportation system that is safe, connected, and well-maintained. This levy proposal will deliver more funding to get us there,” Harrell said. “No matter how you get around, it will make trips safer, more reliable, and better connected so that every Seattleite is set up for success when they experience our city.”
The proposed levy includes:

$423 million to repave and improve the highest-traveled streets.
$218 million to maintain bridges and prepare for future bridge projects.
$121 million to connect people to transit hubs, including link light rail stations, improve bus stops and reduce delays on bus routes.
$109 million to improve sidewalk accessibility, including construction of 250 blocks of new sidewalks and contributing to 10,000 new ADA-accessible curb ramps.
$107 million on projects designed to reduce traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities by making targeted improvements to streets, sidewalks, paths and intersections, including installing pedestrian walk signals at 280 intersections and upgrading 30% of existing protected bike lanes with better barriers.
$94 million to expand Seattle’s protected bike lane network.