On Friday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell unveiled an eight-year, $1.45 billion levy proposal to pay for transportation systems and maintenance.
The proposal reflects the city’s commitment to a safe, reliable and connected transportation system, Harrell’s office said, as well as to ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and services across the city.
“Over the last month, we’ve received feedback from thousands of Seattle residents who want a transportation system that is safe, connected, and well maintained – this proposal will help get us there,” Harrell said. “With a focus on the essential needs of our city and its residents, this levy proposal will deliver projects and improvements to keep people moving and to keep people safe. No matter your preferred method of transportation, these investments are designed to make trips safer, more reliable, and better connected, so every Seattleite can get where they need to go.”
The proposal allocated $100 million to fund sidewalk construction and repairs, enhanced pedestrian and bicyclist connectivity to light rail stations, transit access, bridge maintenance and replacement planning, and street maintenance and modernizations.
Specifically, the proposal includes $423 million to repave arterial streets, $221 million for bridges, $162 million to make targeted and community-requested safety improvements, $145 million to connect to transit hubs, and $135 million for construction and repair for sidewalks, crossings and curb ramps.
“After a month of consultation with the public, Mayor Harrell has made the Transportation Levy proposal even better with additional investments in walking, biking and transit,” SDOT Director Greg Spotts said. “The revised proposal would give SDOT 17 percent more purchasing power to maintain our modernize our streets than the current Levy to Move Seattle.”
The proposal will be reviewed by the Seattle City Council and considered for referral to the November 2024 ballot.