Prepare for 11.9 cent gas tax hike

By Kristi Paulus
Published: Jul 1, 2015 at 11:38 AM PD

Tri-Cities, WASH -- For the first time in 10 years Washington drivers are facing a whopping increase in the gas tax. The state house and senate have both approved a transportation deal that will raise the gas tax by 11.9 cents per gallon over the next year, although they are still hammering out the final details.

Under the new state transportation plan, the higher cost would be phased in. An additional seven cents this summer, the final 4.9 cents next summer. What will local drivers get in return?

The funding of several major projects including the Duportail Bridge in Richland, the Lewis Street overpass in Pasco, improvements to Highway 395 in Kennewick, and a new interchange at Red Mountain near West Richland. These are projects city planners say all are worth investing in. "This is probably the biggest piece of infrastructure that we rely on for our economy and if we don't invest in it, it crumbles," says Richland city planner Pete Rogowski.

Some local drivers still worry the plan mostly benefits the westside, but state Representative Larry Haler believes we're getting our fair share. An investment of about two billion. Still, some drivers say the improvements come at a steep price.

"There's a lot of people out here who are struggling to get where they need to go with the price of gas. I guess they might have to jump into public transportation," says Leo Hernandez.

But lawmakers say that's exactly why it's a fair tax. If you don't drive, you don't pay.

While both the state senate and house have approved the transportation deal, it is still undergoing some final adjustments.

http://www.keprtv.com/Prepare-for-11...311261641.html