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State senators release 'bare bones' transportation budget plan

A bipartisan group of Washington state senators has released a transportation budget proposal that both sides call "bare bones."

The $8.7 billion proposal, released Wednesday, puts $4.1 billion into maintaining and improving roads, banks $200 million in projected toll revenue toward the Alaskan Way Viaduct project and puts $1.2 billion toward servicing bonding debt.

The plan does not include funding for several large projects, among them the Columbia River Crossing and the connection of state Route 167 and state Route 509 to Interstate 5.

Democratic Sen. Tracey Eide of Federal Way and Republican Sen. Curtis King of Yakima are the co-chairs of the Senate Transportation Committee. King and Eide agreed that more money could be put into transportation this year, though King said any new taxes should have the support of voters.

 

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