The Washington State Senate has approved a pivotal bill aimed at expediting large-scale construction projects, giving the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) new tools to cut costs and shorten project timelines. The bill passed with overwhelming support, 48-1, and now proceeds to the House for further deliberation.

Sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias from Edmonds, the legislation allows WSDOT to explore alternative delivery methods and creative financing strategies for major transportation projects. Liias emphasized the urgency of addressing inefficiencies in the state's construction projects, stating, “We cannot afford business as usual when it comes to transportation projects. Our costs are rising too fast, and projects are taking too long to finish.”

By leveraging private equity in public-private partnerships, the bill could help speed up the development of critical infrastructure, reduce costs, and minimize delays. Similar partnerships have already proven successful in states like Pennsylvania and Virginia, which have used private funds to expedite large-scale transportation projects such as bridge repairs and toll lanes.

For example, in Pennsylvania, a partnership initiative helped repair nearly 20% of the state's bridges in just four years, while Virginia was able to complete 30 miles of toll lanes on Interstate 95 within two years. These successful projects have demonstrated that such collaboration can significantly improve efficiency and timelines.

Catherine Hovell, a senior project manager at HNTB, offered her support for the bill during public testimony. She highlighted the flexibility it would offer WSDOT in selecting the right approach for each project. “This bill allows WSDOT to right-size delivery approaches in a few ways to find the right fit,” Hovell said.

The bill introduces innovative financing models, allowing WSDOT to tap into private sector funds while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. The ability to explore these partnerships can ultimately help the state meet its growing infrastructure needs while keeping costs under control. Supporters of the bill argue that this new approach could help Washington catch up with other states in terms of building and maintaining vital transportation networks.

The bill's passage is seen as a critical step toward addressing the state's transportation needs. However, some critics have voiced concerns about relying too heavily on private equity, fearing that it could lead to higher long-term costs for taxpayers.

The bill will now head to the Washington State House for further debate. If it passes through the House, it could pave the way for the use of innovative delivery and financing models on major projects across the state.

Originally reported by Kaitlyn Smock in Non Stop Local News.