Gorst Project Receives $74.298 Million for Initial Design, Environmental and Cultural Resources Review from The Washington State Legislature

The Washington State Legislature provided $74.298 million to fund the initial critical design, environmental and Cultural Resources work necessary to build the Gorst project.  

House and Senate Democrats agreed Wednesday on a 16-year, nearly $17 billion transportation package. The “Move Ahead Washington” package provides funding for four new ferries, maintenance and preservation projects, culvert removal, and free fares for those under 18 years old using public transportation.

The Kitsap projects with the biggest price tags on the transit side include nearly $75 million to begin the effort of widening Highway 3 through the Gorst corridor (a megaproject with a price tag approaching a half-billion dollars) as well as $35 million for widening and safety improvements on Highway 3 in Belfair.

Members of the Gorst Coalition expressed their appreciation to U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer, Senator Emily Randall, Senator Tim Sheldon, Representatives MacEwen, Griffey, Caldier, and Young for the critical role they played in securing this funding for Kitsap.  Tim Thompson, of the Thompson Consulting Group also acknowledged the tremendous work of Senate Transportation Chair Marko Liias, Senate Ways Committee Chair, Christine Rolfes, House Transportation Committee Chair, Jake Fey and Speaker Laurie Jinkins and the House Committee Chair Timm Ormsby. 

Fixing Gorst is essential to our economy, national security interests and public safety.  In addition, the initial funding will allow the Gorst Coalition to fully engage the public in its design and assess the environmental and cultural resources impacts of the project.

Learn more about the Gorst Coalition and the project at https://gorstcoalition.com/ and download a project overview here.
 

A Gorst Coalition meeting will be scheduled soon to provide more information on our Federal and State funding efforts. 

Legislature sends funding to Kitsap-area projects (kitsapsun.com)

Washington state Democrats agree on $17 billion in transportation funding