Capital Overview

Several modes of transportation are included in the agency's programs. The Washington State highway system is a network of 763 miles of interstate highways, 820 miles of non-interstate urban highways, and 5,453 miles of non-interstate rural highways. The Washington State Ferry System serves as a vital commercial link with the state's peninsula and islands. Each year nearly 25 million passengers and 11 million vehicles travel across Puget Sound using the fleet of 24 vessels and 20 terminals and docks. In addition, 17 state-operated airports are maintained in a condition permitting safe emergency use. To support these transportation programs, DOT owns facilities at522 sites with 691 buildings throughout the state.

DOT's operating and construction programs are budgeted through the state's operating budget process and presented in the transportation operating budget. Included in the capital budget are appropriations for continuing the construction of the three new jumbo ferries initiated during the current biennium, and highway maintenance and support facilities.. These two DOT capital programs are discussed in terms of the overall state capital program in this document; however, the summary tables for agency capital projects shown later do not include the appropriations for the transportation programs discussed here since these programs are included in the transportation budget.

Ferry System Capital Program

Present ferry system operations were developed as a substitute for bridges carrying freight and people from one side of Puget Sound to the other. Ferry vessels provide passenger and car transport. As congestion and rising commuter demand has increased, the ferry system has responded with improvements that link passengers with buses, vanpools, trolleys, and pedestrian modes on both sides of the sound. The terminals provide park-and-ride facilities, transfer centers, passenger waiting areas, and ticketing facilities. The ferry system is committed to comprehensive vessel renovation programs to modernize equipment, and replace the electric steel class of vessels.

In 1992, a bond authorization was approved to finance the construction of three Mark II Jumbo ferry vessels. The total cost for the three vessels is approximately $249 million. The first vessel, the M.V. Tacoma, is scheduled to begin service in time for the 1997 summer season. The second and third vessels will be in service by summer, 1998 and summer, 1999, respectively.

Major challenges facing the ferry system are related to aging facilities, regulatory impacts, and population growth in the Puget Sound area. Vehicle Ridership has grown 15 percent in the past five years and is expected to increase by another 15 percent by the year 2000. Total passengers are expected to reach 27.5 million by the end of this century. Many of the terminal facilities are timber pile construction that are nearing the end of their useful life and need to be replaced with steel and concrete construction. Implementation of new U.S. Coast Guard regulations regarding lifesaving equipment aboard Washington State Ferry vessels are being assessed.

Capital Facilities Program

The capital facilities program provides safe, reliable facilities, with adequate space to house staff and equipment so that the department may plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain the state transportation system. There are three major types of facilities. Regional office complexes are the hub of planning, design, construction, and maintenance functions for each of the six designated transportation regions. The 25 maintenance area headquarters house the administrative, supervisory, and resource centers in support of the maintenance programs. Maintenance section facilities are the home base for the daily roadway maintenance functions performed by the state crews. There currently are 94 section facilities along state highways. Additional facilities provided by the capital facilities program include 12 buildings housing highway construction project engineer offices.

The Department has a 20-year plan which calls for upgrading the inventory of facilities to a target standard level by the end of this period. The major challenge facing the capital facilities program in efforts to reach this objective is the increasing obsolescence of a large portion of the inventory of buildings due to age, location, and size.

Capital Plan Highlights

• Ferry and terminal construction and renovation will allow service improvements and will be appropriated in the transportation budget bill.

Capital Facilities

• This program for construction and renovation of office and maintenance facilities implements the Department's 20 year plan and will be appropriated in the transportation budget bill.