- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Washington Governor Signs $16.6 Billion Transportation Budget
Funding focuses on highway preservation and infrastructure repairs after recent floods
Apr. 1, 2026 at 6:40pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has signed a $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget that boosts funding for highway preservation and maintenance, including $300 million in new money and $40 million from unspent funds. The budget also includes $65 million in federal aid for state highway repairs after December floods and $45 million in state loans to local governments for flood damage. However, the governor's request for $1 billion to purchase new hybrid electric ferries was not included.
Why it matters
This transportation budget reflects the governor's priority of investing in infrastructure maintenance and repair, which is crucial for the state's economic and public safety needs. The additional funding for highway preservation and flood damage repairs will help ensure the reliability and safety of Washington's road network. The lack of new ferry funding, however, could impact the state's ability to modernize its aging ferry fleet.
The details
The $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget expands on the two-year spending plan approved by lawmakers last year. Key elements include $300 million in new funding and $40 million from unspent funds for highway preservation and maintenance, as well as $65 million in federal aid for state highway repairs after December floods and $45 million in state loans to local governments for flood damage. The budget also includes a $40 million increase for a separate highway maintenance program. However, the governor's request for $1 billion to purchase new hybrid electric ferries was not included in the final budget.
- The $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget was signed by Governor Ferguson on April 1, 2026.
- The budget includes $65 million in federal funding to repair state highways after the December 2025 floods.
- A $40 million increase for a highway maintenance program is included in the new budget.
The players
Bob Ferguson
The Governor of Washington who signed the $16.6 billion supplemental transportation budget.
Jake Fey
The Democratic chair of the Washington House Transportation Committee.
What they’re saying
“I called on the Legislature to make a historic investment in our infrastructure and they delivered. Our state needs to keep investing.”
— Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington
What’s next
The governor is scheduled to act on new operating and construction budgets on Wednesday, which will make further adjustments to the state's biennial spending plans.
The takeaway
This transportation budget reflects the governor's priority of investing in infrastructure maintenance and repair, which is crucial for the state's economic and public safety needs. However, the lack of new ferry funding could impact the state's ability to modernize its aging ferry fleet.
