Washington is facing considerable transportation revenue and cost challenges. As I noted in my post about the conference report for the supplemental transportation budget, the budget includes language directing the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to “seek consequential cost reduction opportunities” for the SR 520 West End project and requires a review of planned procurement methods for certain projects before any requests for bids may be made.

In addition to those provisions, the budget includes requirements to study alternative delivery methods and project streamlining:

• $450,000 from the motor vehicle account for a Joint Transportation Committee study on alternative project delivery methods and how they impact project cost. Further, “the study must specifically examine contracting methods, alternative bundling concepts, and other options to manage costs” related to removing fish passage barriers in accordance with the federal injunction. A preliminary report is due by Dec. 15, 2024 and the final report is due by June 30, 2025. (Sec. 204(9))
• WSDOT is required to “analyze contracting methods, alternative bundling concepts, and other options to manage costs” as it removes fish passage barriers. A report with recommendations is due by Dec. 15, 2024. (Sec. 214(8))
• $375,000 from the motor vehicle account for a project delivery streamlining work group. A preliminary report is due by Dec. 15, 2024 and the final report is due by June 30, 2025. (Sec. 204(10))

(The bill sections in this post refer to the budget as passed by the Legislature. The governor has not yet signed the bill.)

Other interesting provisos in the transportation budget include:

• $140,000 from the multimodal transportation account for an economic impact study of the state ferry system. The report is due by Dec. 31, 2024. (Sec. 109)
• $100,000 from the Puget Sound ferry operations account for a study reviewing “ferry funding requirements and options to increase dedicated funding sources for the ferry system.” A preliminary report is due by Dec. 15, 2024 and the final report is due by June 1, 2026. (Sec. 204(11))
• $188,000 from the aeronautics account for an assessment of previous passenger and air cargo forecasts, a literature review of “strategies to reduce demand for air travel,” and a review of ways to “address environmental impacts from commercial aviation activities.” A report is due by Dec. 31, 2025. (Sec. 110)
• $250,000 of the multimodal transportation account for a “review of transit-oriented development conditions in cities in King, Pierce, Spokane, Clark, and Snohomish counties.” The report must include “recommendations for state-level policy to expand housing and mixed-use transit-oriented development in Washington state.” The report is due by June 30, 2025. (Sec. 204(13))
• $50,000 from the motor vehicle account for a study from the Dept. of Licensing “on the feasibility of implementing and administering a per mile fee program.” A preliminary report is due by Dec. 31, 2024 and the final report is due by Dec. 31, 2025. (Sec. 208(38))
• $500,000 of the SR 520 corridor account for a traffic and revenue study of tolling on the SR 520 corridor.
• For the 2025–27 budget, WSDOT’s request for the public transportation division must be split into operating and capital programs. (Currently, public transportation division appropriations are considered operating in the state’s fiscal data, even though the state funds public transportation capital projects.) (Sec. 221(23))
• $50,000 from the multimodal transportation account for WSDOT to consider “creating a new budget program for the active transportation division.” (Currently, active transportation projects are included in transportation budget and project data in the local programs division.) A report is due by Dec. 1, 2024. (Sec. 224(7))