The City of Seattle is asking voters to approve a $1.55 billion transportation levy in November. The levy would fund transportation improvements for eight years, providing money for about 30% of the budget for the Seattle Department of Transportation. Seattle voters approved the current $930 million levy in 2015.
Here’s a breakdown for how the levy would allocate this funding:
- $403 million to repave arterial streets.
- $221 million for bridge repairs and preparations for future projects.
- $160.5 million for Vision Zero safety improvements to reduce collisions, injuries, and fatalities at crossings, intersections, sidewalks, and streets.
- $151 million to improve access to transit hubs like Link light rail stations and bus stops and reduce bus route delays.
- $133.5 million to expand Seattle’s protected bike lane network; to connect schools to bike lanes, greenways and paths; and to maintain and upgrade existing bike lanes ($20 million added to expand the bike network, with a focus on South Seattle).
- $100 million for traffic signal upgrades, enhancing pedestrian and bike accessibility, and supporting traffic operations during large events and trips in and out of the port.
- $66.5 million to improve lighting and activate public spaces in partnership with business districts and community organizations.
- $69 million to address climate change, reduce air pollution, and promote sustainable transportation.
- $45 million for freight improvements to support truck deliveries and services.
While the levy does not have an organized opposition campaign, former City Councilmember Alex Pedersen has come out against the ballot measure. His concern is that the levy does not do enough to promote pedestrian safety. According to Pedersen, who chaired the Council’s Transportation Committee before leaving the Council at the end of 2023, “[t]he most traffic fatalities we see by far is pedestrians. But this levy allocates only 10% toward sidewalks.”
The Seattle Times editorial board also opposes the levy, arguing it fails to address the priorities of Seattle residents, questioning whether the investment would lead to noticeable improvements in roadways for taxpayers.
Support for the levy comes from a coalition of environmental and bicycle organizations, labor unions, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
