Repairs needed for Washington State Bridges and Highways

Washington State infrastructure is in need of maintenance. Engineers and lawmakers are trying to find the funds to upgrade the state’s transportation network. About 72% of Washington's highways are rated in acceptable condition, worse than the national average of 80%.

An obvious example is the case of the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge. Every day, a quarter-million people cross the bridge to transport between North Seattle and downtown. Nonetheless, the Ship Canal Bridge, which opened in 1962, is wearing out and exemplifies the intensifying need for maintenance of Washington State’s 7,000 miles of roads and bridges.

The I-5 crossing, one of the most important highway bridges on the West Coast, exhibits "severe deterioration," says the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Rust has formed around the steel beams, concrete layers are separating and potholes proliferate. "While WSDOT has been deferring this work to try and keep the entire state highway system operational, it can no longer be ignored without dire consequences," says a state report.

Overall, the state would need to spend an estimated $14.8 billion over the coming decade, to reach "minimally acceptable condition," for its infrastructure. The amount is double the current spending on maintenance. " WSDOT may also receive more federal money if Congress passes President Biden's $2.3 trillion American Jobs Plan, which includes a plan to modernize 10,000 bridges and 20,000 miles of highways.

Despite the need for preservation of the existing infrastructure, the State raised $16.5 billion in existing and planned budget to build massive projects like the Highway 99 tunnel, Highway 520 bridge replacement and future extensions of Highways 509 and 167 around SeaTac, Puyallup, Fife and Tacoma. Therefore, only 8 cents of the 49.4-cent per gallon state gasoline tax are available for operations, maintenance, safety and preservation. Lawmakers and state leaders knew for some years that old freeways would require a significant budget allocation for maintenance. "Historically the attitude has been, if you're going to raise revenue for transportation packages, you have to deliver something. It has to be new," said former Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Nonetheless, upgrade of the network is urgently necessary. Washington state's earthquake response plan assumes the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge will be unusable after a large earthquake, while WSDOT's lifeline I-90 routes are also behind on seismic upgrades.