Gregoire speaks on local projects

Touts state projects, efforts to widen SR 17

MOSES LAKE - Gov. Chris Gregoire spoke with the Columbia Basin Herald Friday about issues facing Grant County.

When asked about the widening of state Route 17, Gregoire said the state is receiving public input on the project and conducting an environmental review.

Efforts are underway to construct two lanes in each direction, initially spanning from Ephrata to Moses Lake, Gregoire said. In addition to widening the roads, the state plans to include intersection improvements.

Last year, the state completed paving of approximately five miles of SR 17 in addition to the state widening three miles of highway to four lanes, Gregoire said.

It appeared congestion would get so bad on the three-mile stretch that drivers would be traveling 15 miles per hour if action wasn't taken, she said.

When the work was being conducted, state officials said the widening of SR 17 from Interstate 90 to the Grant County International Airport was to improve safety of semi trucks moving chemicals and freight through Moses Lake.

When asked about the addition of a rail spur in Grant County to serve local industrial businesses, such as Moses Lake Industries, Gregoire noted she didn't have the latest update on the project.

"One of the main issues that's come up is working with the railroad," Gregoire said.

Gregoire also provided a summary of the Alaskan Way Viaduct project. She said the public rejected an above-ground replacement and requested a tunnel.

The type of highway has not been selected for replacing the viaduct, Gregoire said. Cost and traffic impacts are being looked at, she said.

Gregoire met with the Washington State Department of Transportation, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, and executives of King County, she said.

She said the entities temporarily set aside the idea that the project is isolated to replacing the viaduct.

"The three departments are now meeting," she said. "They're looking at a surface option."

Gregoire spoke of a Viaduct replacement project helping people and goods move through the Seattle area with more efficiency and timeliness.

In addition to discussing traffic solutions, Gregoire shared her thoughts on the need for a Grant County Skills Center. The state provided funding for the design of the project.

Gregoire said the project appears viable.

"Candidly, some students, if they didn't otherwise have this … they would give up," she said.

She said skills centers train students in industrial skills needed by the business community. In addition, businesses consider the availability of a skilled work force as they decide where to locate their business, Gregoire added.

She said she is proud of the state's contribution to Big Bend Community College, noting the state has invested millions of dollars into Big Bend.

Gregoire said she worked to negotiate a deal to solve a 30-year impasse on water in Eastern Washington.

According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, Gregoire signed the Columbia River Basin Water Resource Management bill in 2006. She asked Senate and House leaders in 2005 to appoint members to a task force to study the "long-standing water management stalemate," according to Ecology.

"This year we delivered the first new amount of measurable water to Eastern Washington in 30 years," Gregoire said.

Gregoire addressed the budget concern of challenger Republican Dino Rossi, who claims Gregoire is leading the state into a deficit.

She responded the deficit is a projection for 2011, and if she lived by projections, the state would be in a $5 billion deficit now.

"To say that we'll have a deficit is nothing more than a guess," Gregoire said.

There is currently a surplus, as well as a rainy-day fund, she said.