OLYMPIA (AP) — The Washington state Senate has passed an $8.7 billion transportation budget proposal that would allocate money for maintenance, infrastructure and existing large-scale projects such as the floating bridge across Lake Washington and replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct tunnel.
The measure approved Friday also includes roughly $82 million for design work on the contentious Interstate 5 bridge replacement project over the Columbia River.
Most of that money would be withheld until the Coast Guard decides whether to issue a key permit. The Coast Guard’s decision is expected in September.
The measure heads next to the House, which passed its own transportation budget plan earlier this month. Separately, a transportation revenue package that would augment the budget is slated to be heard by a House panel Friday.
