During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers awarded funding for important local projects to improve Interstate 90 in the Issaquah area and to enhance our community’s parks, recreation and open space.
"On behalf of all of our entire community, I want to share my heartfelt thanks to the elected leaders and citizen advocates working on behalf of Issaquah," Mayor Fred Butler said.
A historic transportation revenue-and-reform package passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee outlines key improvements, including:
- Interstate 90 peak-hour use lanes to increase the flow of vehicles along I-90 through Issaquah
- Interchange Justification Report to examine I-90 access needs at Exit 17 (Front Street) and other interchange possibilities
The state also allocated funding for important Issaquah parks, recreation and open space projects, including:
- $1 million for additional upgrades to Confluence Park, including a pedestrian bridge across Issaquah Creek
- $500,000 for Central Park sports field improvements, including artificial turf and field lighting
In addition, legislators approved $1.1 million in matching money for new docks at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Lawmakers also protected critical funding sources for Issaquah and other local governments, including municipal criminal justice assistance, liquor excise tax revenue distributions and Streamlined Sales Tax mitigation payments — a funding source that provides more than $800,000 per year for the City of Issaquah.