The Tacoma News Tribune ran a story earlier this week that transportation (i.e. roads) funding faces a shortfall:

“The state faces a $1.6 billion shortfall for all the highway, bridge and ferry projects the Legislature said would be built with higher gas taxes. The governor wants to borrow $1.1 billion more to close part of that gap and postpone construction for many projects for a couple of years possibly longer.

We cant stick with the timetable, Gregoire said last week.

Safety projects get priority, which means the $2.82 billion replacement of the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct is at the top of the list.

But Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, doesnt like the idea of borrowing so much money. Shed rather pay as you go, spending gas tax monies as they come in, rather than using them to make payments on 20-year loans.

Will the Legislature eliminate some projects? Will projects such as carpool lanes planned for Tacomas freeway be postponed even longer? Those are unappealing but possible options.”

Will the Yelm Loop Project be one that is axed since $33 million is to come from the 2005 gas tax according ot the DOT website?
AND, $35 million is UNFUNDED!