OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Senate has approved several transportation bills, including one directing the Department of Transportation to begin construction of high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on Interstate 405 near Bellevue.
The bill also establishes a study on HOT lanes to determine if they actually bring in the revenue expected by the department to continue paying for I-405 construction.
Opponents argued the HOT lanes on State Route 167 don’t even bring in enough money to cover their own operating costs.
The Senate also approved a bill allowing for special “Music Matters” license plates.
The plates would cost $40 extra and all revenue would go toward music programs in schools, which are often hard-hit by budget cuts.
Both bills head to the House for further consideration.
