MARYSVILLE – The city has a lot to celebrate this Fourth of July.
Not only is it celebrating our nation’s independence, it also can celebrate its future independence from the railroad tying up traffic.
This week, the city learned that $139.3 million in the state transportation budget is earmarked for three major highway projects locally. An 11.9 cent a gallon tax increase would help pay for the projects.
It also learned that U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen of Arlington has introduced a bill that could pave the way to tunnel under the railroad tracks on Grove Street.
The state budget includes $50 million to rebuild the interchange of Interstate 5 and Highway 529 in Marysville. That route would mean traffic could leave and get into town without dealing with train tracks. The budget includes another $50 million to reconstruct the I-5 interchanges at 88th Street and 116th St. NE in Marysville so they can handle more traffic smoother. The third project is $39.3 million to widen Highway 531 to four lanes near the Arlington Airport.
Larsen’s bill would pay for at-grade railroad crossing improvements nationwide. Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Public Utility District director Kevin Neilsen made a pitch for one June 29.
They toured a few of the 17 train crossings in Marysville. They explained that over- or under-crossings at 4th would cost $100 million because roads would need to be built up and businesses bought out. At 88th it would be $160 million because they are too close to the tracks.
“There are very few options for it,” Nehring said.
However, if a box culvert was put in under the tracks on Grove, the cost would only be $15 million.
A cross there also makes sense, Nehring said, because “all of the fire equipment is on this side of the track. It’s a public-safety issue.”
Larsen’s bill is for $300 million each of five years.
He said the bill has a “good chance” of passage, especially with support from big northern-tier states like Illinois and New York, because they also have problems with railways.
Larsen said his measure would be paid for with a federal gas tax increase.
“The House and Senate are reluctant to increase the gas tax, but we are behind the curve in funding,” Larsen said.
He added that the railroad does pitch in money for some projects, bit it’s piecemeal.
Nehring pointed out a Puget Sound Regional Council show trains caused more delays and cost the town more money than any other community in the state because of the lack of options for motorists in getting around tracks.
“Local officials have told me that improving at-grade crossings is critical for safety and traffic flow. Rail incidents are most likely to happen at these crossings, and they can lead to traffic congestion that delays people on their way to work, goods on their way to market, and public safety vehicles on their way to save lives. As our rail lines carry more goods, including crude oil, I am working to improve community safety,” Larsen said.
