Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, met with Washington Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith on Friday, Aug. 29, to review transportation concerns in Southwest Washington. Regional Administrator Carley Francis also attended.
The discussion covered the Interstate Bridge Replacement program, TriMet’s light rail costs and the damaged Camas Slough Bridge. Ley also urged planning for two new bridges and transportation corridors across the Columbia River, as recommended by a Regional Transportation Council study, a news release from Washington State House Republicans stated.
"Her [Meredith’s] biggest issues and concerns are regarding maintenance and preservation of our current bridges, highways and transportation infrastructure. The DOT doesn't have enough money allocated for long-overdue maintenance, “ Ley stated in the news release
He added that his bill, HB 1869, introduced last session, could have freed up to $500 million by prohibiting Washington from paying for Portland’s TriMet light rail capital costs.
Ley also raised concerns about consultant compensation, which he said can triple the cost of services. Meredith promised transparency and auditing of the Interstate Bridge Replacement program and other projects under her agency’s oversight, the news release stated.
