PSRC is circulating a letter to the State Legislature’s Transportation Committee in support of Governor Ferguson’s supplemental transportation budget for 2026. His proposal bonds $3.1 billion for transportation infrastructure investments to address critical needs in our state, including $2 billion for bridge preservation and paving projects. It also allocates $1.1 billion for Washington State Ferries, including $1 billion to purchase three new hybrid-electric ferries and $150 million to maintain and preserve the current fleet. It would accomplish this by bonding existing revenues, without any new taxes. If you are a local elected official, please consider signing the letter.
Support letter text:
Dear Chair Liias, Chair Fey, Ranking Member King and Ranking Member Barkis:
We are local elected officials from the Puget Sound Region writing in support of Governor Ferguson’s supplemental transportation budget for 2026.
We appreciate the significant investments the Legislature made in the 2025-27 Biennial Transportation Budget. However, due to rapid growth, rising costs and deteriorating infrastructure, our state and region continue to require additional robust transportation funding to meet emergent priorities.
Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental transportation budget bonds $3.1 billion for transportation infrastructure investments to address critical needs in our state. His proposal includes $2 billion for bridge preservation and paving projects. It also allocates $1.1 billion for Washington State Ferries, including $1 billion to purchase three new hybrid-electric ferries and $150 million to maintain and preserve the current fleet. The Governor’s proposal does not include any new taxes and instead is funded by bonding existing revenues.
Maintaining and preserving the existing transportation system is a priority in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s draft Regional Transportation Plan. Community members consistently highlighted maintaining and preserving transportation assets as a top concern during outreach about the plan across the Puget Sound region. Investing in maintenance and preservation upfront helps prevent costly repairs and closures, as delaying maintenance often results in more expensive replacements. Governor Ferguson’s proposal allocates significant funding for maintenance and preservation, which is needed to keep our roads, bridges, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities safe and usable.
Recent extensive ferry service disruptions, when 3 ferries have been out of service simultaneously due to unmet critical repair needs, emphasize the need to make long-term investments to replace the aging boats. The Governor’s proposal would provide $150 million to maintain and preserve the existing vessels in order to keep them operational while new ferries are brought into service. The ferry system is a key transportation network in the Puget Sound region and sustained investment is needed to ensure it operates reliably and serves the needs of our region.
We are local elected officials from the Puget Sound Region writing in support of Governor Ferguson’s supplemental transportation budget for 2026.
We appreciate the significant investments the Legislature made in the 2025-27 Biennial Transportation Budget. However, due to rapid growth, rising costs and deteriorating infrastructure, our state and region continue to require additional robust transportation funding to meet emergent priorities.
Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental transportation budget bonds $3.1 billion for transportation infrastructure investments to address critical needs in our state. His proposal includes $2 billion for bridge preservation and paving projects. It also allocates $1.1 billion for Washington State Ferries, including $1 billion to purchase three new hybrid-electric ferries and $150 million to maintain and preserve the current fleet. The Governor’s proposal does not include any new taxes and instead is funded by bonding existing revenues.
Maintaining and preserving the existing transportation system is a priority in the Puget Sound Regional Council’s draft Regional Transportation Plan. Community members consistently highlighted maintaining and preserving transportation assets as a top concern during outreach about the plan across the Puget Sound region. Investing in maintenance and preservation upfront helps prevent costly repairs and closures, as delaying maintenance often results in more expensive replacements. Governor Ferguson’s proposal allocates significant funding for maintenance and preservation, which is needed to keep our roads, bridges, transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities safe and usable.
Recent extensive ferry service disruptions, when 3 ferries have been out of service simultaneously due to unmet critical repair needs, emphasize the need to make long-term investments to replace the aging boats. The Governor’s proposal would provide $150 million to maintain and preserve the existing vessels in order to keep them operational while new ferries are brought into service. The ferry system is a key transportation network in the Puget Sound region and sustained investment is needed to ensure it operates reliably and serves the needs of our region.
We respectfully encourage you to follow Governor Ferguson’s approach through bonding in the supplemental transportation budget proposal to provide resources for urgent transportation needs for maintenance and preservation and Washington State Ferries. We appreciate the Legislature’s continued commitment to investing in and improving Washington’s transportation infrastructure.
Sincerely,