Fund safe wildlife passage in the Cascades and the I-90 Project

Washington State is headed for its first ever wildlife bridge, but only with your help.

2/24/12 update: Last session, the legislature and Governor passed a transportation bill instructing the Department of Transportation to dedicate millions of dollars in savings from the I-90 Project's first phase into its second phase, which includes the state's first-ever wildlife overpass. Their instructions made it clear to use $8 million in existing savings to start designing the next phase of the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project.

This session, the legislature is clarifying the timing of when to dedicate these savings–and the project needs these savings allocated starting this biennium. The state cannot wait another decade to build the next 10 miles of this critical transportation facility.

Your letter today makes a difference! Urge your representatives to direct the project savings back into the I-90 corridor now, to keep the I-90 Project moving forward.

The current Senate transportation bill PSSB 5992 makes I-90 a priority and helps fund this vital project years faster than the House and the Governor's proposals. It funds planning and design of this next phase in this biennium, and funds construction of that phase including the wildlife overpass in 2013-2017. The language for I-90 in this bill should be upheld in negotiations between the House, Senate, and Governor towards a final transportation bill. Thanks for taking action!

Background: Interstate 90 is the largest east-west freight highway in Washington and is heavily used by many travelers. Near Snoqualmie Pass it cuts through a vital wildlife corridor between rich forest habitats in the Cascades. This spells danger from collisions for both drivers and wildlife. The I-90 Project addresses both issues squarely, and is worth our full support. Investing for our future helps connect roaming wildlife north and south through the Cascades.