Originally published March 20, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 20, 2007 at 2:01 AM
Ferry fares frozen, bridge funds included in proposed budget
Majority House Democrats on Monday unveiled a $7.4 billion transportation budget that freezes ferry fares, provides a $120 million down...
OLYMPIA — Majority House Democrats on Monday unveiled a $7.4 billion transportation budget that freezes ferry fares, provides a $120 million down payment on a new Lake Washington floating bridge and creates a $1 billion reserve for costly megaprojects.
The proposed two-year budget includes no new projects but deals with $2 billion in cost overruns, primarily the soaring price of materials, that have engulfed the hundreds of projects that were promised when lawmakers and voters approved a 9 ½-cent-a-gallon gas-tax increase two years ago.
Lawmakers and Gov. Christine Gregoire said for the first time that Olympia must proceed with some projects, most notably the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, without knowing entirely where the money is coming from. The bridge needs at least $2 billion more.
About $78 million is set aside to cover additional overruns in the next two years and a $1 billion risk pool is created for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement and rebuilding the 520 bridge.
The plan assumes $915 million worth of initial work on replacement of the viaduct and would include $120 million in early spending on the 520 bridge.
The House proposal would freeze ferry fares for a year while the recommendations of the recent ferry finance study are implemented.
Fares have gone up 62 percent since 2001, and the state Transportation Commission recently recommended a 4 percent increase.
House Transportation Chairwoman Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, said she can't predict what happens next year.
The budget plan provides money to cut tolls on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge to $1.50 in the first year of operation for motorists who use transponders. It would be $3 for those without transponders.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
Illegal workers quietly let go
Metro won't cut bus service after all
Jerry Large: Food-bank theft turns into a gift
Bumper to Bumper: How can the city let bridges go dark?

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
general classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
8 Drawer Dresser with Attached Mirror - $200
8 seat pecon formal dining table and china hutch - $1500
A American Table, Chairs and Bench - $275
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
shopping
Give yourself a treat and visit Watson Kennedy's Holiday Open Houses
More minding the store
events for Monday, Nov. 23
- Kimberly Baker Jewelry Launch Party
- Bella Umbrella Holiday Sale
- CraftsGiving
- Beyond Threads Outlet Biannual Clearance Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guides- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Illegal workers quietly let go
278 - Climate change speeds up since 1997 Kyoto accord
167 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
166 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
132 - Metro won't cut bus service after all
126 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
91 - Tattoos at Mill Creek Church pierce skin, soul
68 - Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
65 - UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
61 - Ranking the Pac
53
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Taste | The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit

