A flock of geese flew overhead during the ceremony to officially recognize the completion of a $96 million project on State Route 202, as if to emphasize the 16-acre wetland included in the package.

“This project is the result of the voters in ‘05 saying, ‘Yes, we do want to have these kinds of projects done,’” Governor Chris Gregoire said, referring to the statewide gas tax that voters approved.

Gregoire made her remarks during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Redmond-Sammamish area last Thursday saluting the project. Asked after the ceremony about statements made by her Republican election opponent, Dino Rossi, about relieving transportation woes while not increasing taxes, Gregoire said Rossi is making a lot of promises.

“If I listen to him, it reminds me that Santa Claus visits my house only once a year. Apparently Santa Claus lives at his house. This is about results,” Gregoire said.

Rossi and Gregoire are locked in what appears to be another tight election contest for governor. Gregoire, a Democrat, won four years ago that was decided after recounts of the votes.

Three citizens who commute on the newly improved roadway were invited to cut the ribbon, and Fall City resident Johnna Jones shared her experiences.

“This project has amazed me,” Jones said. “My commute has been cut by at least 30 minutes every day, which makes me much happier when I get to my destination at work.”

In 2009, the state plans to begin work on widening Highway 520, adding HOV lanes and extending onramps.

“That (520 project) represents about a four-mile segment, and that project is about a $91 million investment,” Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond said. “This corridor has been plagued for many years with expanding growth. It was time to update this road.”