OLYMPIA -- After trying but failing to craft a package of major road projects in this year's Legislature, the Senate Transportation Committee will hold seven forums around the state to try to craft a new package.

One of the stops on the "listening tour" will be in Spokane on Oct. 2 at thle Greater Spokane Inc., offices, 801 W. Riverside Ave.

Sens. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, who share the chairman duties on the committee, said they want to get public comment for a package that could be introduced next year.

“We’re looking forward to hearing from Washington residents on their priorities for our transportation system, as well as sharing some of our thoughts for how it can be improved,” said King, in a press release announcing the meetings.  

“Transportation is the backbone to a vital economy, both for jobs and for a strong infrastructure that drives economic development,” Eide said in the press release. “We need to make sure the public understands what’s at stake here, and the public needs the opportunity to make their priorities known.”

During the session, proposals to raise the gasoline tax and some motor vehicle fees to pay for as much as $10 billion in new roads and bridges and maintenance on existing structures collapsed in disagreements over the proposed Columbia River Crossing, the amounts to be spent on mass transit and road maintenance, and proposed improvements in the way the state Transportation Department contracts for major projects.

For a schedule of the forums, or to comment, continue inside the blog.

Senate Transportation Leadership Forums. All are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Sept. 17 – Seattle/Bellevue(Northwest Region)
• Stevenson Elementary School, 14220 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA 98007
• Sept. 18 – Everett(Northwest Region)
• Snohomish County, Robert Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., 6th floor, Everett, WA 98201
• Sept. 23 – Wenatchee (North Central Region)
• Chelan County PUD Auditorium, 327 N Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801
• Sept. 24 – Yakima(South Central Region)
• Yakima Area Arboretum, Garden View Rm., 1401 Arboretum Dr., Yakima, WA 98901
• Oct. 2 – Spokane(Eastern Region)
• Greater Spokane Inc., 801 W. Riverside, Spokane, WA 99201
• Oct. 7 – Vancouver(Southwest Region)
• Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room, 901 C St., Vancouver, WA 98660
• Oct. 9 – Tacoma (Olympic Region)
• Evergreen Tacoma Campus, Lyceum Hall, 1210 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405

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