Outcomes of 2016 ballot measure endorsements: Yes to investing in biking, walking and transit

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Voters sent the message that biking, pedestrian safety and transit are important investments by passing three of the four ballot measures endorsed by Cascade this election season. Sound Transit 3, Bellevue’s neighborhood transportation levy and Kenmore’s walkways and waterways bond are on track to be approved and implemented. Issaquah’s traffic improvement bond didn’t quite meet the 60% threshold needed for bond measure to pass (54% yes as of 11/15). Final vote counts will be available November 29, when elections are certified.

Read on to learn how these investments will shape new and improved transportation options in our communities over the coming decades...

Sound Transit 3: Regional Prop 1 - PASSED!
Regional Proposition 1 passed and will fund Sound Transit 3. The $54 billion plan will build 62 miles of light rail, add additional bus rapid transit, express bus and Sound commuter rail improvements. In addition to building light rail, the package includes $370 million funding improvements that make it easier to bike and walk to every station in the region.  

This $370 million investment represents one of the largest commitments by a transit agency ever to make it easier to bike and walk to transit. It couldn’t have happened without the voices of caring neighbors regionwide who know that biking and transit go hand-in-hand together.

“ST3 makes a high priority of providing safe and convenient ways for people to bike and walk to transit, including unprecedented investments in pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the 116-mile light rail system and regional bus facilities that will exist after the program is built out,” said Board Member & King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci of Bellevue.

A huge thank you to the volunteers who joined in the Mass Transit Now campaign to make phone calls and knock on doors. Together we reached thousands of voters!

Bellevue Levy for Transportation: Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion - PASSED!
This 20-year property tax levy will raise approximately $140 million for neighborhood safety, connectivity and congestion improvement; as well as sidewalk, bicycle, technology and maintenance needs. Notably, this levy would improve the potential for investments in Bellevue's Bicycle Network. City of Bellevue staff are already working to develop project lists for years one and two, with a plan coming to the City Transportation Commission mid-December.

Kenmore’s Proposition 1: Walkways and Waterways - PASSED!
This $19.75 million bond measure will fund investments in five significant bicycle,pedestrian and placemaking projects in the City of Kenmore. The Juanita Drive improvements will add bike lanes from Kirkland city limits north to 170th Ave (Simonds Rd.). An additional project would connect Safe Routes to Schools projects to downtown.

Issaquah Traffic Improvement Projects Bond - DEFEATED.
The $50 million bond measure would have invested in four projects across Issaquah focussed on safety and traffic calming.  While the bond measure received the majority of votes in Issaquah, it failed to reach the 60% threshold for passage.

Thanks for voting for better biking in your community! Look forward to a round-up of Statewide election results for transportation in a couple of weeks.

 

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Members of the public, campaign volunteers, and officials including King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Redmond Mayor John Marchione, and Seattle Councilmember Rob Johnson joined Transportation Choices Executive Director Shefali Ranganathan and Mass Transit Now Campaign Manager Abigail Doerr at an election night party to celebrate passing Regional Prop 1 for Sound Transit, and recognize this historic win for the region.

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