Seattle mayor bumps transportation levy up $30M

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray has revised his transportation plan with more emphasis on neighborhood safety.

Alongside, Seattle City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and Mike O’Brien and Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly, the mayor explained that his nine-year Transportation Levy to Move Seattle increased from $900 million to $930 million.

Murray said the cost to taxpayers ($275 annually for the owner of a median valued home) wouldn’t change with the added $30 million because it’ll be generated by taxes from new construction.

“This levy reflects the needs of our communities and improves the day-to-day realities of getting around our city,” said Mayor Murray. “Over the past several weeks, the people of Seattle told us that safety is the top priority. We will invest more in transit reliability and access, improved connections to light rail, and making it safer for people of all ages to walk in Seattle.”

After reviewing an online survey and feedback from a series of community meetups, the mayor said an additional $100 million (an increase of $35 million from the initial proposal) will go to build new sidewalks in high-demand areas and pilot alternative street designs that make walking safer.

There’s also more funding for neighborhood priority projects that focus on safety and connectivity.

“The proposed package reflects the priorities and projects that I have heard are important to our neighborhoods including the Lander Street overpass for the SODO area and the Fauntleroy Way improvement project, which is an important part of the neighborhood plan and which is designed and ready for construction,” stated Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Chair of the City Council Transportation Committee.

Murray will submit the proposal to the City Council next week. The council will have to submit the proposal to King County by early August for it to be on the ballot in November.