Get Public Support for Transportation Projects By Giving Them Jobs

Seattle needs major revisions to its transportation infrastructure, according to local officials. Getting the public behind the expensive projects may be as simple as saying one word: jobs.

November 24, 2008, 9am PST | Nate Berg

"Legislative leaders may have a way to build support for replacing the deteriorating Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 520 bridge: Call it a jobs package."

"'There's no question it's a jobs bill,' said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. 'If you want to create jobs, you build something. It's a no-brainer.'

"There will be a lot more talk like that in the coming weeks and months as the Legislature grapples with two essential transportation projects that cost billions of dollars - at a time when a recession appears unavoidable and the state operating budget has a $5 billion hole."

"That's the shortfall lawmakers will have to close when they start crafting a new two-year budget in January. It will mean deep and likely agonizing cuts in state spending - but not when it comes to transportation projects."

Full Story:

Bad economy won't stop massive road projects

Published on Friday, November 21, 2008 in The Seattle Times