The Bridging the Gap (BTG) transportation levy program just wrapped up its eighth year of work. BTG is a nine-year, $365 million levy approved by voters in 2006. Funding provided by the levy enables much-needed work by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), such as roadway paving, sidewalk development and repair, bridge upkeep, and tree pruning and planting. It also supports the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans, the Safe Routes to School program and enhanced transit.
What has BTG accomplished over the past eight years you ask? Well, here are some key BTG accomplishments. Through 2014 BTG has paved more than 220 lane-miles of roadway, constructed 107 new blocks of sidewalk and repaired 192 block equivalent of sidewalk. More than 5,241 crosswalks have been restriped; 16,091 linear feet of guardrail have been installed and 47,554 new regulatory signs have been installed and 11,137 intersections have received new street name signs all across the city. Add to that the 51 Safe Routes to School projects, the 230 crossing improvements made, the 6,132 new trees planted, 156 lane-miles of new bike lanes and sharrows installed and the more than 11 miles of neighborhood greenways and you have a lot work that has been completed all across the city, in every neighborhood!
It is important to note that BTG work is supported by an appointed citizens’ Levy Oversight Committee that meets quarterly. This 15-member body monitors revenues and expenditures, and reviews program and project schedules to provide full accountability to voters on BTG activities. The committee meetings are open to the public. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for January 27th, 6-8pm in the Boards and Commissions Room at Seattle City Hall.
It is anticipated that 2015 will see even more work completed as SDOT strives to deliver on the promises made by BTG. For more information on BTG and the work it is doing please visit the web page!