Seattle voters approve transportation levy
The measure will maintain and modernize city streets with paving, bridge repairs, sidewalk construction and connections to light rail.
Cross posted from the SDOT Blog
The Seattle Transportation Levy passed with roughly 66% support. The levy will provide approximately $170 million annually over eight years to fund transportation projects and programs.
With this revenue, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will maintain and modernize the city’s aging infrastructure by building sidewalks, paving streets, repairing bridges and improving connections to transit for a safe, reliable and connected Seattle.
“The 2024 Transportation Levy was shaped by community input and reflects the City of Seattle’s commitment to a One Seattle vision for a safe, reliable, and connected transportation system, as well as our ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and services citywide,” said Mayor Harrell. “Our administration worked closely with community members, advocates, and stakeholders to create a bold plan for safer streets, reliable transit and better connections for all Seattle neighborhoods. This levy means safer bridges, smoother roads, more sidewalks, better transit connections, and much more to support people who live, work, and play in Seattle.”
The levy will fund a range of projects reflecting the city’s evolving transportation needs and priorities.
Key investments include:
- Accelerating new sidewalk construction and making thousands of repairs
- Improving safety for the city’s most vulnerable travelers
- Prioritizing paving, street maintenance, and modernization
- Extending the lifespan of Seattle’s aging bridges
- Creating jobs across the region
“SDOT is ready to get off to a strong start on the many projects and programs contained in the Levy package, working collaboratively with community members, other city departments, King County Metro and Sound Transit,” said Greg Spotts, SDOT director.
Unanimously supported by the Seattle City Council earlier this year, the Transportation Levy is the culmination of extensive planning and collaboration, involving city leaders, community organizations and transportation advocates. Seattle City Council is expected to approve the final 2025-2026 budget this month, and the election will be officially certified on December 5. Collection of Levy funds begin on Jan. 1, 2025.
“The Mayor’s Office and my colleagues on the Council worked hard to ensure that the transportation projects included in the levy would meet Seattle needs now, but also invest in the future,” said Councilmember Rob Saka (District 1) who chairs the Council’s Transportation Committee. “I can’t wait to work with our Seattle Department of Transportation – making our streets safer, building out our sidewalk network, giving our residents more reliable options to move around, and improving our transportation infrastructure.”
SDOT is taking steps now to be ready to start work on the new levy in January. This includes prioritizing crew-delivered projects that can be completed in winter, beginning public engagement to plan for new sidewalks, and developing several large capital projects, such as major upgrades on the City’s busiest streets and bridges.