Viaduct, 520 bridge part of Senate's transportation spending plan

The Associated Press

Highlights of the Senate's transportation package:

• VIADUCT: Seattle, King County and the state pledge a fresh attempt to find an acceptable replacement for the quake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct, which handles more than 110,000 vehicles a day. Both houses agree to $915 million to get started on work needed, regardless of the design that is chosen.

• 520 BRIDGE: The Senate plan identifies as much as $4.1 billion for a project that could cost $4.3 billion. This would include federal dollars, $560 million in state money, $1.1 billion from regional taxes, $1.2 billion in expected tolls, and heavy use of a $1 billion pool of money that is set aside exclusively for the viaduct and bridge.

• COST OVERRUNS: The Senate budget addresses nearly $2 billion in escalating costs. Examples: I-90 improvements at Snoqualmie Pass were originally budgeted at $388 million but now are at $525 million. Highway 16 and Interstate 5 carpool lanes originally costing $930 million are now expected to be $1.4 billion.

• BACK ON SCHEDULE: Gov. Christine Gregoire had suggested delaying some projects, but the Senate plan keeps all 432 projects on track and even accelerates 17 projects that are ready to go. The latter include stretches of I-5, I-90, I-405 and Highways 9, 20 and 167. The $470 million replacement of the eastern half of the Hood Canal Bridge also would be accelerated.

• FERRY SYSTEM: The Senate plan would allow a scheduled 2.5 percent ferry-fare increase to proceed in May. The House wants a one-year fare freeze. Fares rose 6 percent last year. Both houses would freeze eight terminal projects for two years while a study of ferry use and terminal needs is conducted.

• FREIGHT AND RAIL: The plan includes $76 million for 40 freight-mobility rail projects and money for freight projects across the state. The budget would provide $229 million for rail, including a fifth daily round trip for the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Portland.