OLYMPIA – Washington’s transportation budget doesn’t just fund statewide projects and operations, it creates jobs, makes our streets and cities safer, and ensures folks across the state can get where they need to go by public transit. The 2025-27 budget invests $15.2 billion to follow through on commitments like fish passage barrier removals and shores up funding to keep Washington moving into the future.
“Transportation isn’t just about roads and highways,” said Rep. Greg Nance (D-Kitsap). “It’s about investing in communities in a way that fits local needs, whether that’s greater public transportation capacity, safer routes to school, or restoring and improving ferry service. I’m proud that we were able to work across the aisle and pass a budget that keeps past promises and supports future needs.”
Regional Investments in Ferries
For many, ferries are a major transportation mode to get to doctor appointments, school, work, and more. Washington State Ferries is working hard to restore service levels, procure new boats, and fill staffing gaps, and this budget makes significant investments that will get more boats in the water and update systems that passengers rely on for travel information, ticketing, and security.
“This budget is going to help right the ship,” Rep. Nance said. “Folks in my district and across the Puget Sound have waited too long for reliable service to be restored. This budget won’t turn back the clock, but it is significant progress.”
More than $1.8 billion is allocated for regional ferry improvements, including:
- $1.2B for hybrid ferry construction
- $288M for terminal electrification
- $21.6M to update and modernize WSF’s ticketing and reservation system
- $14M for improvements to existing ferry boats
Significant investments in Kitsap include:
- $129M for Kitsap Transit SR 16 Park & Ride improvements
- $6.2M for Kitsap Transit design & shore power infrastructure
- $5.9M for Safe Routes to Schools
- $25M for the Warren Avenue Bridge
- $40M for SR 305 safety and mobility improvements
- $41M for Kitsap ferry improvements, including Kingston Terminal, Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, and State Route 104 realignment to help ease the impact from ferry traffic
More information on the state transportation budget can be found here.
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