The Associated Press
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Chris Gregoire has signed into law an updated $8.5 billion state transportation budget that lawmakers say will bankroll thousands of construction jobs.
The supplemental budget plan signed by Gregoire on Tuesday is about $1 billion more than last year's biennial budget.
The increase comes mostly from federal money that the state will use to pay for large projects, including $590 million to increase the speed of trains on the rail corridor between Oregon and British Columbia.
The transportation budget also has $30 million more for fuel costs, primarily for ferries, and $3 million for storm water treatment.
Cuts in the transportation budget include fewer Department of Transportation management positions, and the continued closure of up to 25 licensing offices.