If you're looking for contrasts between Dino Rossi and Gov. Chris Gregoire, you'll find lots of them in the transportation arena.

For starters, Rossi's $15 billion transportation plan would provide real money to extend Highway 167 from the Port of Tacoma to Puyallup, but without all the full interchanges. And money for the Cross-Base Highway, too.

Both were top priorities for the Port of Tacoma and the Pierce County business community. They were part of the failed $18 billion Proposition 1. Rossi would pay for those with state money -- not with tax increases in Pierce, King and Snohomish counties.

Of course, his plan to use all that state money has only a snowball's chance in hell unless Rossi also can get himself elected to more than half the seats in the state House and Senate. It would take a Rossi Legislature to get that money.

Democrats would never let him divert $10 billion from the general fund to pay for highway projects. What about schools? What about social programs?

But hey, we're just talkin' contrasts here.

Rossi is setting himself apart from Gregoire and her fellow Democrats.

He's dead-set against early tolling on Highway 520; Gregoire's finance plan allows for it. Rossi wants tolls to end as soon as a project is paid for. Gregoire signed a toll policy bill that would allow tolls to continue forever.

Rossi says no tolls on Interstate 90 bridge. Gregoire's plan would allow tolls on both 520 and I-90 bridges to keep from diverting traffic and to hold down the amount of the toll.

Rossi wants the state to make firmer plans for an 8-lane replacement for the 520 bridge, much to the consternation of the Seattle neighborhoods who don't want the greater impacts of a wider bridge. Gregoire's plan is to keep it small, at first anyway.

Rossi favors a tunnel to replace the Alaska Way Viaduct, not another elevated structure or a surface option. Rossi is mainly trying to sound decisive here, because Gregoire has waffled on how to replace it after Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels threatened to fight the state tooth and nail.

But Rossi won't tell us exactly what kind of tunnel he wants until after he gets elected. Kinda like Gregoire not announcing her choice until after the election. (Not much of a contrast on that score.)

I also can't figure out how Rossi could just take $690 million of Sound Transit tax collections, but I suppose he just has to appear to try.

Overall, you can see Rossi's Eastside roots showing through, de-emphasizing what Seattle wants and spreading more money around King, Pierce counties and the rest of the state.

Here's the release. Please read past the "More" button because there's a link to Rossi's full plan.

For Immediate Release

Rossi Unveils Statewide Transportation Plan

Includes $1.7 Billion for Hwy 167 and $252 Million for Cross-Base Highway

[More:]

Redmond, WA – Gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi today unveiled a $15 billion transportation plan for Washington state. The plan aims at balancing congestion relief with other important transportation goals by completing key construction projects, encouraging cleaner travel through green initiatives, addressing unfunded transportation promises, and restoring reliability in the state’s ferry system. Part of the plan allocates $1.7 billion for Highway 167 extension and improvements, and $252 million to complete the Cross-Base Highway between I-5 and S.R. 7 (2007$).

“Our state is experiencing a transportation crisis that is impacting our quality of life and hindering economic growth,” said Rossi. “My vision for transportation is rooted in freedom and the ability of people to make good choices for themselves. By contrast, the incumbent believes government needs to force people out of their cars. Olympia needs a new vision. People and businesses throughout Pierce County experience massive traffic problems every day. These two projects will significantly ease congestion, provide alternatives to I-5 and other clogged roadways, and improve access to the Port of Tacoma.”

For S.R. 167, the plan invests $1.029 billion to extend this highway from Puyallup to the Port of Tacoma. It also provides an additional $725 million to improve the I-405 interchange, and add additional lanes between Pacific and Auburn and also between S.E. 180th in Renton/Kent to S. 277th Street in Kent/Auburn.

The Cross-Base Highway project builds a four lane, six mile highway between I-5 and S.R. 7 that will offer better access from I-5 to Fredrickson manufacturing facilities, as well as a direct and secure route between Ft. Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. The new highway will mean reduced congestion on I-5, S.R. 512, S.R. 7, and 176th Street.

Rossi’s plan has been met with support by local leaders.

“People in Pierce County want to see reduced congestion, and they want to know that they’re getting the most from their transportation dollars,” said Shawn Bunney, Pierce County Councilmember and candidate for Pierce County Executive. “Dino Rossi’s plan focuses on vital road improvements that will achieve both. By focusing on projects like the Highway 167 improvements and the Cross-Base Highway, our roads will be much better equipped to get people and the economy moving again.”

“Pierce County is in danger of becoming a bottle neck for the entire state transportation and freight mobility system – yet we have one of the world’s premier container ports,” said Terry Lee, Pierce County Councilmember and former Chair of the Pierce County Planning Commission. “Dino’s transportation plan makes a huge leap in reducing congestion and moving our goods to market. I wholeheartedly support it. Well done, Dino!”

“The extension of Highway 167 is a one of the most important projects in our state and I applaud Dino Rossi for including this in his transportation plan,” said Dave Enslow, Mayor of Sumner and member of Sound Transit and Pierce Transit. “This highway project will create jobs, add millions to our economy and reduce congestion.”

“Our ports require a reliable transportation infrastructure with the ability to efficiently move containers,” said State Representative Joyce McDonald, 25th Legislative District, and also candidate for Pierce County Council. “Extending Highway 167 to the Port of Tacoma will play a key role in the growth of our cargo industry and economic growth of the Port of Tacoma.”

“The highway system in Pierce County accommodates thousands of commuters and freight shipments each day,” said Roger Bush, Pierce County Councilmember and former State Representative, 2nd Legislative District. “Rossi’s comprehensive statewide plan invests in critical projects like the Cross-Base Highway that will relieve both present congestion and provide for future growth, and that’s why I support it.”

“The extension of Highway 167 will benefit our bases, businesses, and people, and is one of the most important projects in the state,” said Doug Richardson, Mayor of Lakewood. “Dino Rossi has demonstrated real leadership in developing a comprehensive transportation plan with the funding to get it done - that's why I support it.”

Rossi’s transportation plan also includes other initiatives and projects throughout the state.

Congestion Relief Projects

Rossi’s plan prioritizes congestion relief by fixing the largest traffic chokepoints throughout the state, including:

· Hwy 520, Evergreen Floating Bridge

· Widening of I-405, Renton to Bellevue

· US 2 Corridor improvements

· SR 9 Corridor improvements

· Hwy 167 extension and improvements

· Widening Hwy 509 to I-5

· The Cross Base Highway in Pierce County

· Replacing and improving the Columbia River bridge

· Hwy 395, the North Spokane Corridor

“We need to act on these projects now,” said Rossi. “These transportation chokepoints are a foot on the air hose of the Washington economy.”

Green Transportation Initiatives

Rossi’s plan encourages overall cleaner transportation through several green transportation initiatives:

· Eliminating sales tax on purchases of hybrid, electric, and alternative-fuel vehicles for the next 10 years.

· Converting state government vehicles to hybrid, plug-in electric, and alternative-fuel cars by 2015.

· Dedicating $200 million to eliminate salmon blockages from 1,676 culverts on DOT projects statewide.

“We can do a lot with transportation that will promote a healthy environment and also make economic sense,” said Rossi. “The free market is working quickly to develop hybrid, electric, and alternative-fuel cars. My plan is to provide incentives for more people to switch sooner to these clean technologies.”

“Fixing blocked culverts will open up more than 2,300 miles of potential salmon habitat. This state has ignored this problem for too long.”

Completing Promised Projects

Rossi’s plan invests $500 million as a down payment towards 27 already-promised projects across the state that are unfunded, underfunded, or delayed.

“Transportation projects across the state have been overpromised,” said Rossi. “My plan provides funding to make good on the state’s broken promises.”

The Ferry System

As part of our state’s highways, the ferry system is also addressed in this plan. $368 million will go towards filling the gap in the Ferry Capital Account, used for ferry vessel construction and terminal improvement projects.

“Our ferry system is also in a crisis,” said Rossi. “We will make sure that not only is funding appropriated, but that new boats are actually delivered on schedule and within budget.”

Providing the Funding

The funding for this transportation plan will be provided by the following combination of sources (in 2007 dollars):

· 40.2% the state sales tax on new and used vehicles will be dedicated to transportation projects. (Total: $7,711 million)

· The elimination of state sales tax on transportation projects. (Total: $2,433 million)

· Half of the current and future eastside subarea equity Sound Transit surplus would go to HOV projects on the eastside of Lake Washington. (Total: $690 million)

· Tolls on the 520 bridge to begin once the bridge is completed in 2014. Tolls will cost $1.54 one-way (2007$) and provide $721 million in revenue.

“We can make real transportation progress with the money that people are already sending to Olympia,” said Rossi. “This funding plan ensures that we are getting the most from each revenue source. More importantly, it won’t raise taxes, and through the responsible use of tax dollars, we will protect education, health care, and all of the other vital services that we must continue to provide.”

Click here to read the Rossi Transportation Plan.