SEQUIM — There might be better uses for $2.5 million in road money than building an unwanted rest stop on Sequim’s east side, one local state legislator said Thursday.
However, much depends on whether an initiative to roll back gasoline tax increases passes on Nov. 8.
The city of Sequim has asked state lawmakers for help in stopping the Northeast Peninsula Safety Rest Area, a $3.2 million project planned near the exit to Simdars Road from U.S. Highway 101.
City Council members voted Oct. 19 to oppose the rest area, saying it’s no longer needed and could exacerbate local traffic problems.
About $650,000 has been spent so far on land acquisition, planning and engineering.
The rest of the funding is available and some of it is dedicated to this project. All required permits have been issued.
The state Department of Transportation plans to start construction in 2008.
State Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said the city’s request “does sound reasonable to me.”
“I can think of a lot of ways to spend highway money, which is in short supply,” she said.
“Especially if [Initiative] 912 passes, we’re going to be dialing for dollars. If that passes, we’ll be shuffling some money around.”
Kessler’s 24th legislative district includes Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Earlier this year, the state Legislature approved a graduated 9.5-cent per gallon gasoline tax increase to fund road improvements across the state, including $17.3 million of work in Clallam County and $250 million in Jefferson County.
Initiative 912 seeks to repeal that staged increase.
