December 30, 2016 Mr. Scott Pattison Executive Director National Governors Association 444 North Capitol St, Ste. 267 Washington, DC 20001 RE: Request for Infrastructure Projects from Transition Team Dear Director Pattison: Thank you for reaching out to governors’ offices to solicit their input on projects that could benefit from potential increased federal infrastructure investment. Washington State’s infrastructure needs are significant, much like the rest of the nation’s. In response to the request you received from the White House Transition Team, please find attached a list of 5 projects submitted by the State of Washington, which fit the necessary criteria and could benefit from immediate federal investment. Our state has made considerable progress investing in our infrastructure in recent years. In 2015, Governor Inslee worked with the State Legislature to enact the largest transportation investment plan in state history. This $16 billion “Connecting Washington” plan addresses critical maintenance and safety needs around the state, supports more than 200,000 jobs, and funds projects that relieve congestion, improve freight mobility and provide more clean transportation choices. The Governor’s proposed 201719 state budget also proposes bold new investments in Washington’s infrastructure, including funding for transportation, water resources and quality, electricity grid modernization, ecosystem restoration, affordable housing, education, public health and human services facilities, and much more. These investments are critical to sustaining and building upon our state’s economic growth, which is among the strongest in the nation. At the same time, our nation’s greatest infrastructure achievements have been a result of a strong federal-state partnership. The need for increased federal infrastructure investment is clear and could very quickly provide meaningful benefits for our state’s economy and public safety, as well as for the nation as a whole. Please note that the appended list does not constitute the totality of our infrastructure priorities; state agencies have identified dozens of other projects that are important for our local communities, our state, and the nation, and that could benefit from federal funding. To help us address these needs, and the similar needs of states around the country, we hope to work with the NGA to help shape any potential federal infrastructure investment program. Mr. Scott Pattison December 30, 2016 Page 2 Thank you again for your efforts in this endeavor. Sincerely, Sam Ricketts Director, Washington, DC Office Office of Governor Jay Inslee Enclosure cc: Tiffany Shackelford, Director, Communications & Strategic Planning, National Governors Association Anna Davis, Director of Government Relations, National Governors Association Washington infrastructure projects Project Sector State Revenue Stream 1 2 3 4 Washington seismically at-risk bridge replacement I-405/SR-522 widening Safe drinking water projects Sound Transit Light Rail acceleration Highways and Bridges Highways and Bridges Statewide Initiative Mass Transit/Rail WA/OR WA WA WA Yes Yes Yes Yes 5 Transportation system electrification and modernization Statewide Initiative WA Yes 1) Washington seismically at-risk bridge replacement: Federal investment is required to replace decades-old, seismically-vulnerable structures on key transportation corridors traversed by millions each year in the Pacific Northwest, like the I-5 Bridge Replacement project in Vancouver, and at the US-2 Trestle in Everett. These investments are especially critical to the region’s concerted efforts to build seismic resilience. Projects require $3 billion and $1 billion, respectively. 2) I-405/SR-522 widening: Federal investment would help increase capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety and enhance efficiency along one of of the most congested transportation corridors in Washington State. Estimated project cost: $450 million. 3) Safe drinking water projects: The Washington State Department of Health has identified 75 shovelready drinking water projects requiring $149 million to upgrade drinking water systems in communities across the state. Federal investment would be critical to protecting safe drinking water supplies in the region. 4) Sound Transit Light Rail acceleration: Voters have supported major light rail expansion programs in the central Puget Sound region that will improve mobility for millions of people, but it will take decades to fully build it. Federal support for the $2.3 billion Lynnwood Link, $1.9 billion Federal Way Link, and $3.7 billion Redmond Link projects will accelerate delivery of this critical infrastructure. 5) Transportation system electrification and modernization: Federal investment is needed to fund a package of shovel-ready electric vehicle charging stations, incentives, connected infrastructure and grid upgrades that will accelerate the electrification and modernization of our state’s transportation system, increase energy security, and reduce pollution. Estimated project cost: $2 billion.