Deploy speed cameras to reduce work zone injury and death

Crews that work on Washington’s state roadways take safety seriously. Yet despite precautions, there were 1,228 collisions in or near a work zone in 2023, and the number of fatal crashes doubled from the year before. Gov. Inslee’s budget funds a pilot that will purchase six speed cameras to deter unsafe driving in work zones.

($13.1 million Highway Safety Account)

Train 60 additional state troopers to enforce safety on state roadways

State troopers complete 37 weeks of training that prepares them to protect and serve the people of Washington across more than 7,000 miles of state highways. The governor’s budget funds two Trooper Basic Training classes. This investment will add 60 law enforcement officers to build state capacity.

($6.8 million State Patrol Highway Account)

Remove barriers to fish passage

The state re-opened 24 barriers to fish passage under state highways in 2024. These culvert corrections restore access to 76 miles of potential habitat. The governor’s budget furthers efforts to meet the requirements of the 2013 U.S. v. Washington court injunction. The funding will be used to design additional barrier corrections in anticipation of future funding for construction. Correcting barriers that hinder salmon and steelhead populations is vitally important to Tribes, ecosystems, and the economy.

($120 million Connecting Washington Account, in addition to agency request of $783 million multiple funds)

Improve ferry reliability

Washington State Ferries (WSF) carried nearly 19 million riders in 2023 alone. People rely on our marine highway system to access essentials like health care, child care, educational opportunities, and jobs. However, persistent crew shortages continue to disrupt services.

Gov. Inslee’s budget supports crew recruitment and retention, renews year-round daily interisland services in the San Juans, and increases winter service to match fall and spring levels on the Anacortes-San Juan Island route. The investment will improve WSF’s ability to recruit crew for this route and ultimately improve service reliability for those who depend on ferries.

($19.2 million Puget Sound Ferry Operations Account-State)

Prioritize equity and education in license suspension process

To encourage road safety and reduce inequity, Gov. Inslee’s budget improves the process for a driver to get their license back following suspension for traffic tickets. Funding supports a shorter suspension if the driver has completed the required safe driving course and insurance verification sooner than the current 60-day suspension. This proposal encourages drivers to learn safe habits sooner. It also reduces the burden on people who experience barriers to other modes of transportation, such as unmet disability accommodations or limited service in rural or under-resourced communities.

($143,000 Highway Safety Account-State)

Clean Transportation

Additional green transportation projects, such as ferry electrification, are included in the Climate and Energy portion of this budget proposal.