SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced plans for an eight-year, $1.35 billion transportation levy on Thursday.
The proposed levy would replace the current levy, which expires at the end of this year. The current levy, which was $930 million, was passed in 2015.
The median homeowner in Seattle currently pays $24 per month for the levy and the proposed levy would increase the monthly payment to $36. For those who own a home under $500,000, the monthly payment will increase by $7, and for those who own a home over $1 million, that payment will increase by $14.
The levy will be voted on in November.
How the money will be divided
According to the levy draft, the largest amount of money, $423 million, would be spent on major street maintenance. That includes filling potholes, "significant and transformative" corridor improvements, curb and pavement markings and more.
Safety improvements around the city, especially near schools, would see $107 million. The city aims to reduce fatalities and injuries through improvements to roads, sidewalks, and intersections. Vision Zero, the city's plan to end traffic deaths by 2030, would receive a 150% increase in funding.
$218 million would be spent on bridge repairs, cleaning and maintenance. Transit corridors and connections would receive $121 million to improve bus stops and light rail stations, reduce delays and create two new east-west transit corridors.
The city would spend $109 million on making sidewalks, crossings and curbs safer and more accessible for pedestrians.
$100 million would be used to install, maintain, and upgrade traffic signals. The proposed levy would also fund up to five pilot projects.
$94 million would go to increasing bike safety, creating more bike lanes that would connect more neighborhoods and build up to five new greenways.
The city would spend $57 million on upgrading public spaces, including landscaping improvements, more lighting, and "improve the pedestrian experience."
Finally, $49 million would be used to address climate change, reduce air pollution, and increase tree canopy cover.
Projects accomplished under current transportation levy
KING 5 cross-referenced the levy proposal from 2015 and achievements and found a few worth noting.
The city had a goal of replacing 225 miles of streets. So far, 216 miles have been paved. A Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) spokesperson said the city expects to pave additional roadway over the remainder of the current levy.
So far, the city has completed four of its goal of 16 bridge seismic retrofit projects. However, an SDOT spokesperson said the city was on track to reach its goal with 12 projects underway.
The city did double the number of sidewalks built at 222, while the goal was 120.
The city is requesting public input on the draft. Residents who want to share their thoughts can visit the city's website, email moveseattle@seattle.gov, or call (206) 319-5892.