Rossi’s Fantasy Transportation “Plan” = More Traffic, Higher Taxes

click here to watch the video

Fantasy vs. Reality

Dino Rossi's transportation "plan" is rooted in fantasy, not reality.  Full of incomplete and misleading information, inaccurate costs, and lack of detail, Rossi's "plan" would result in more traffic and higher taxes.  Rossi’s numbers and assumptions are incomplete and in many cases just plain wrong.  Below is a summary of the major errors and false assumptions in Dino Rossi’s transportation “plan.”

Rossi Fantasy #1: We can build an eight-lane 520 bridge for less than a six-lane bridge.

Reality:  Not only does this defy common sense, it is factually incorrect.  Every Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) cost estimate shows construction of an eight-lane bridge is more expensive than a six-lane bridge.  WSDOT has determined that billions of additional dollars in construction would be required to build new lanes on I-5 and I-405 to relieve the additional congestion created by an eight-lane 520 bridge, costs that Rossi doesn’t factor into his eight-lane cost estimate.  WSDOT also notes that major demolition of downtown Seattle buildings would be required to construct new lanes on I-5 to accommodate an eight-lane 520 bridge, costs and impacts Rossi does not account for.  [Seattle PI, 4/13/2004]

Rossi Fantasy #2:  Stealing billions of dollars from the General Fund will have no impact on education, healthcare or vulnerable populations.

Reality:  When times are tough we know exactly where Dino Rossi looks to make cuts: children’s healthcare and education.  He’s done it before and says he would do it again.  Rossi’s transportation “plan” would commit billions of dollars of General Fund revenue for at least 30 years. If Rossi’s multi-billion dollar transportation projects go over budget, the effects on the General Fund would be even more devastating.  Rossi’s transportation “plan” paves a freeway right through education and healthcare programs.

Rossi Fantasy #3:  If we just brought a “business approach” to the ferry system, all would be well.

Reality:  In 1999 Dino Rossi voted to eliminate the primary funding source for the Washington state ferry system and never proposed a replacement. After eliminating the primary ferry funding source Rossi voted to gut an additional half-billion dollars of ferry money from the budget.  Rossi offers no specific plan for continuing the improvements to the state ferry system brought about by Governor Gregoire.  [SB 6865, 3/17/2000]  [3ESSB 5327, 6/21/01]

Rossi Fantasy #4:  We can open up the car pool lanes during the day and reduce congestion.

Reality:  False. Puget Sound-area high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are utilized throughout the day and carry more people per hour than single occupancy vehicle (SOV) lanes.  [WSDOT]

Rossi Fantasy #5:  This is a 21st century plan that gives people choices.

Reality:  Rossi’s “plan” offers more of the same.  Rossi subscribes to the myth that we can build our way out of congestion.  His “plan” includes no investment in transit service to give people reliable alternatives to getting around the Puget Sound region and Washington state.

Rossi Fantasy #6:  We can use east King County’s Sound Transit money to build highway HOV lanes.

Reality:  Rossi says he doesn’t want the state to meddle in local transit decisions, yet Rossi’s plan does exactly that.  By redirecting Sound Transit revenue set aside for east King County transit projects, Rossi’s plan violates current Sound Transit policy and would require a public vote.  Current Sound Transit policy prohibits expenditure of transit revenue to construct highway HOV lanes and revenue can only be expended on transit projects that have been approved by voters.  By siphoning off east King County’s transit funding, Rossi’s is telling eastside residents to say goodbye to their desire for light rail and improved express bus service. 

Rossi Fantasy #7:  My plan could build a “tunnel-light” replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct for $2.7 billion.

Reality:  False.  No detailed cost estimate of the City of Seattle’s proposed “tunnel-light” Viaduct replacement has been performed by the state.  Where did Rossi get his number?  Additionally, City of Seattle voters rejected the construction of a tunnel replacement for the Viaduct in March of 2007.  Furthermore, WSDOT has rejected the “tunnel-light” design as unsafe.   [WSDOT]

Rossi Fantasy #8:  My plan focuses on reducing congestion.

Reality:  False.  Rossi’s plan would make congestion worse by constructing an eight-lane replacement of the 520 floating bridge and causing massive gridlock on I-5 and I-405. The eight-lane alternative was set aside by WSDOT because of its significant impacts on communities and traffic on I-5 and I-405.  [WSDOT]