OLYMPIA - Leaders of the state House Transportation Committee said Monday their $7 billion budget reflects a need to keep existing projects moving before investing in new ones.

"We've made enormous investments in safety and congestion improvement projects throughout the state," said State Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), Chair of the House Transportation Committee. "Our most important priority right now is to keep those projects moving forward, especially with the Viaduct and SR 520. We must get these projects done on time so that's what we're aiming to do and that's where we're putting our money."

State Rep. Fred Jarrett (R-Mercer Island) is the ranking Republican on the committee and agrees.

"We've worked hard to ensure taxpayer dollars are delivering transportation value," commented Jarrett. "If we want to build trust and accountability, it must start with delivering on the promises we've already made."

The $7.4 billion transportation budget draft maintains all funding commitments for the 432 projects funded in the 2003 and 2005 packages. The budget also includes:

*$2 billion to help cover soaring project risk and inflation costs for construction materials over the 16-year plan. *$78 million for the Management Reserve Fund to cover additional cost over-runs in the next two years. *$1 billion risk pool is created for Viaduct and 520 projects. *$12 million to find a site for pontoon construction for SR 520 project.