A small 20-unit subdivision translates into 200 more trips on that collector and subsequent arterial. Our residents are becoming more and more frustrated as they have fewer choices for ways to get around and longer and less dependable travel times. Our region is tied with Los Angeles as being the worst in the nation. I do not believe it is responsible to continue allowing more growth without knowing how we will provide the roads, buses and sidewalks people will need to get around. The question is, do we call a temporary time-out now in order to develop some real solutions, or do we wait until we have to stop indefinitely after the quality of life is so bad, people not only stop coming here, they move out and take their businesses with them.
Some work is underway to assess the impacts.
In response to I-695 cutbacks, the County prioritized capital projects that added capacity in an effort to bring congested areas up to concurrency standards. Bridge replacements and re-surfacing projects also slated for funding through the CIP budget are postponed for six months until funding levels become clear. Therefore, while the 2000 CIP budget currently supports concurrency needs, the County s mid-year reevaluation may result in a decrease in funding for capacity projects. In addition, two state-sponsored transportation projects, SR 202 and Sunset Interchange now face a funding deficit. Lastly, the Puget Sound Regional Council is surveying local governments about the status of federally funded Transportation Improvement Projects and impacts of I-695 on local governments.