Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden and Curtis King/R-Yakima, Ranking Member on the Senate Transportation Committee/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Senate transportation leaders today proposed a bipartisan, comprehensive transportation budget designed to invest in critical infrastructure, enhance safety, and provide much-needed funding for maintenance and preservation.

As the assistant ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Keith Goehner has worked for months on the $9 billion, six-year proposal. He said it represents a responsible and basic approach to meeting the state’s growing transportation needs.

“Although it doesn’t reflect all of my priorities, it does address the restoration of vital projects, enhance public safety, and ensure responsible investments in our transportation infrastructure,” said Goehner, R-Dryden. “It would bring real progress in funding Washington’s transportation challenges. Raising taxes and fees is less than desirable, but because of the state we’re in, it’s necessary to generate more revenue.”

The key investments that would be made through Senate Bill 5160 are:

• $2.6 billion to restore operating and capital spending, including funding for Connecting Washington (adopted 2015) and Move Ahead Washington (adopted 2022) projects that were previously at risk.
• $1.8 billion to boost highway, bridge, and multimodal preservation, ensuring our roads and transit systems remain safe and reliable.
• $1.1 billion to complete partially funded Move Ahead Washington capital projects, ensuring timely completion and improved connectivity.
• $700 million for state and local safety projects, prioritizing community road safety improvements.
• $605 million for new ferry vessels and $240 million for ferry-terminal preservation, ensuring reliable service for Washington’s ferry-dependent communities.
• $375 million to improve highway maintenance staffing, equipment, and facilities.

“This plan is about safety, efficiency, and accountability,” Goehner said. “With these investments, we’re ensuring our roads, bridges, and transit systems serve Washingtonians for generations.”

The proposed transportation budget is responsibly funded through a mix of new transportation revenue sources, a 0.3% sales tax transfer starting in 2027, and bond proceeds, he added. This plan ensures a sustainable funding stream without burdening working families by redirecting a portion of existing sales-tax revenue to transportation.

“This negotiated budget is a bipartisan approach to addressing Washington’s pressing infrastructure needs. Our transportation system is the backbone of our economy, and these investments will support commuters, businesses, and communities across the state.”

For more information on Goehner’s legislative work, visit keithgoehner.src.wastateleg.org.