Although the Washington state Legislature, now in its second special session, is struggling mightily to reach agreement on a 2017-19 operating budget, stirring anxiety as a July 1 deadline approaches, transportation advocates here have reason to celebrate.

A transportation budget for the new biennium that was signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee last month provides more than $127 million for projects in Spokane County, ensuring needed funding for a number of high-profile projects as well as some smaller ones.

Of course, keeping major projects moving will come at a price to consumers, who continue to pay for the improvements partly in the form of higher gasoline taxes implemented two years ago as part of a $16 billion Connecting Washington funding package. Nevertheless, infrastructure needs are too great—with crumbling streets here providing ample evidence of the high cost of deferred maintenance—to not be treated as a high priority.

The North Spokane Corridor, also referred to as the north-south freeway, appropriately will receive the largest share—$75.1 million—of the money that’s to be allocated for projects in the Spokane area over the next two years.

Separate from the allocation this biennium, the state estimates spending another whopping $810 million on that project, which is targeted for completion in about 2030. 

Other major allocations included in the negotiated transportation budget include $8.5 million for the University District Gateway Bridge, $8.1 for the Spokane Transit Authority’s planned Central City Line, and another $8.1 million for its West Plains Transit Center.

The Gateway Bridge will provide an exciting new pedestrian and bicyclist connection—and a potential economic development conduit—between the U District and the rejuvenating East Sprague area. Meanwhile, the STA projects will provide key new or expanded service for bus riders.

STA made out well, also securing an additional $3.9 million for a proposed Monroe-Regal High Performance Transit corridor and $2.1 million for a Spokane Falls Community College Transit Center.

Among other projects, the budget includes $4 million for improvements to the Medical Lake and Geiger interchanges on Interstate 90, with an additional $22.6 million in projected spending at those locations in the following two biennia. It also includes millions of dollars for various improvements on I-90 and state routes 290 and 904, and $2 million for rail development on the West Plains.

Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, says he believes “our region did extremely well” in each of three “buckets”—road, pedestrian, and transit projects—thanks to a strong joint effort in the Legislature.

Finding adequate funding to pay for a growing list of needed infrastructure and service improvements remains a challenge for our elected leaders, but the money being injected into this range of projects spanning all facets of transportation is encouraging.