The Senate Transportation Committee convened on January 27, 2025, to discuss various transportation issues affecting Washington State, with a focus on infrastructure and community needs. The meeting featured remote testimony from John Worthington, who raised significant concerns regarding proposed transportation developments in Clallam County.

Worthington expressed his opposition to the plan for a complete streets corridor, arguing that it is ill-suited for the area, particularly in light of anticipated sea level rise. He emphasized the necessity for a bypass around the Jamestown reservation, citing that the current roads are inadequate for the volume of truck traffic, which constitutes 90% of the region's transportation needs. He criticized the proposal as prioritizing revenue over safety and community support, suggesting that it would transform the area into a business loop rather than addressing the fundamental infrastructure issues.

He further highlighted the historical neglect of road improvements in the region, noting that significant upgrades have not occurred since the construction of Highway 3 in 1980. Worthington argued that the current plan would effectively cede control of the transportation corridor to tribal interests, which he believes are primarily focused on generating revenue rather than ensuring the safety and efficiency of the transportation network.

The discussion underscored the tension between local community needs and broader state and tribal interests in transportation planning. Worthington's testimony called for a reevaluation of the proposed corridor and a more disciplined approach to infrastructure development that prioritizes bypasses and business loops over potentially hazardous sea level roads.

The committee's deliberations on these issues will likely influence future transportation policies and funding decisions in the region, as they seek to balance community safety, economic interests, and environmental considerations.