Across Washington State, 65% of voters statewide say traffic congestion is an “extremely” or “fairly” important issue for state government to address. 
Only 28% rate the state’s efforts to reduce congestion as “excellent” or “good,” while 66% rate those efforts “not so good” or “poor.” 
On a statewide basis, voters place a higher priority on reducing traffic congestion (48%) than funding other transportation needs (39%). 
Washington Policy Center is the only statewide research organization dedicated to making traffic relief a goal in Washington State. Please join our email list and stay updated on how Washington lawmakers spend your transportation taxes.
In 2007, the Washington State Auditor’s Office found that congestion relief was not a priority in Washington State and other studies show traffic will double in the next twenty years. This should concern every working mom and dad who worries about being home in time for dinner, for Boeing executives who need to move airplane parts around the region, and for the freight industry that needs to get goods to market.
Whether it’s your kids’ soccer game, picking up dinner-to-go or delivering manufactured parts, people care immensely about reducing traffic congestion because being there is what’s important and we can do something about it.
Honorable state and local leaders,
Transportation taxes and fees go up every year but traffic congestion continues to worsen. The State of Washington should strengthen the relationship between spending my transportation taxes and traffic relief. Reducing congestion leads to greater economic freedoms, a higher quality of life and a cleaner environment. I believe being there is what’s important and we can do something about it.
WPC Study: 2009 Statewide Transportation Poll Results
Traffic relief is still important to two-thirds of voters
WPC Study: State’s Mandate to Reduce Driver Mobility Threatens Revenue for Transportation Projects
WPC Op Ed: To Stimulate the Economy, Stop Trying to Limit Driving and Start Reducing Congestion
WPC Op Ed in The Seattle Times: Emphasize mobility on Sound Transit's Eastside approach
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