On Thursday, March 10, 2022, the State Legislature approved the ambitious Move Ahead Washington transportation package.
The $17 billion statewide transportation bill includes $640 million for the widening of SR 18 between Issaquah-Hobart Road and Deep Creek. This important safety investment in SR 18 between Issaquah and I-90 will modernize and improve the often dangerous, two-lane state highway stretch that crosses Tiger Mountain.
Also included in the new transportation package is $5 million for the repaving of the Snoqualmie Parkway connection between SR 202 and SR 18. This state funding represents approximately 80% of the $6.4 million Snoqualmie Parkway Rehabilitation project, covering the pavement impact caused by heavy regional trucking that utilizes the parkway connection to access other state highways.
For several years, City of Snoqualmie elected representatives worked closely with 5th District Senator Mark Mullet and Representatives Lisa Callan and Bill Ramos to secure this state funding for both the SR 18 widening and Snoqualmie Parkway repaving projects.
“This is a big win for residents and commuters that drive SR 18 and Snoqualmie Parkway on a daily basis,” commented Mayor Katherine Ross. “There have been too many accidents and fatalities near the Tiger Mountain Summit, and this funding will facilitate long-needed roadway safety improvements. I am proud of the collaborative effort of our elected City and State representatives that made this a reality.”
Background
The 2015 Connecting Washington transportation package is funding the ongoing I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvement Project that will redesign the busy area into a Diverging Diamond Interchange and widen SR 18 from I-90 to Deep Creek. That project is expected to break ground this year. When it is complete, work is anticipated to begin on SR 18 widening between Deep Creek and Issaquah-Hobart Road.