Washington DOT Says $8B Needed to Halt Infrastructure Decline

Washington transportation officers are sounding alarms over the state’s rising upkeep backlog.

Throughout the Washington State Transportation Fee’s Oct. 14-15 assembly, the Washington State Dept. of Transportation mentioned it wants about $8 billion over the subsequent decade to protect its freeway, bridge and ferry belongings—a determine officers concede is way past present funding ranges.

The company’s estimate, first outlined in WSDOT’s 2021–23 preservation finances request, displays a 10-year backlog of deteriorating pavements, bridge decks and marine buildings. 

On the listening to, WSDOT asset administration chief Troy Suing warned that “we’re within the early phases of crucial failure as a result of lack of funding … we’re underfunded. We’re compelled to be reactive after we have a look at our belongings proper now.”

That urgency has revived debate amongst lawmakers who solely months in the past permitted a brand new two-year transportation finances. 

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State Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, mentioned the state can end tasks and protect infrastructure “provided that our finances contains new income.” 

State Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma), who chairs the Home Transportation Committee, added that legislators are “taking the required steps to pay for [investments] and shield them for the lengthy haul.”

WSDOT’s 2025-27 Capital Enchancment and Preservation Program, launched final October, lists preservation and security as “crucial unfunded priorities.” 

The company’s 2024 Gray Notebook reveals freeway upkeep efficiency slipping to a 2.03 out of 4.0—the bottom in additional than a decade—and estimates a $442 million operational shortfall over 10 years simply to maintain present service.

State Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima), rating member on the Senate Transportation Committee, mentioned each events acknowledge the system’s stress factors. “Washington faces some severe transportation issues, from unsafe roads to a failing ferry system,” he mentioned.

The pressure is seen on the bottom. WSDOT this month started six weekends of lane closures on Seattle’s I-5 Ship Canal Bridge to switch worn enlargement joints, and crews reopened the White River Bridge on SR 410 on Oct. 16 after emergency repairs completed weeks forward of schedule. 

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“We made a dedication to reopen this bridge as shortly as potential,” Gov. Bob Ferguson mentioned in asserting the early completion. “Individuals simply need authorities to work. Collectively we are able to transfer quick and resolve large issues.”

The state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Assessment Committee has pressed WSDOT to make clear preservation forecasting strategies following a 2023 audit that cited inconsistent bridge-life assumptions. 

Legislators are anticipated to revisit transportation appropriations when the 2026 session opens in January, and WSDOT plans to replace its 10-year wants assertion earlier than year-end to mirror 2024 situation knowledge and inflation changes.

Washington’s problem displays a nationwide pattern as state DOTs confront rising maintenance prices after the surge of federal infrastructure spending. For WSDOT, the calculus is fast. As Suing put it:

“After we don’t protect the system, it impacts everyone … there is no such thing as a short-term repair with regards to bridges.”