State officials say they need $170 million more to complete a replacement of the Highway 520 floating bridge on Lake Washington.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said Wednesday that an agency error on pontoon design error is consuming most of the project's reserve funds. Lawmakers had capped the project budget at $2.72 billion, but state transportation officials are now asking the Legislature to raise that to $2.89 billion.
Washington Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson says most of the extra $170 million can come from bonds funded by 520 tolls. The agency would also tap into other funds, leaving less money for other projects.
The money covers improvements on the eastside 520 corridor, a new floating bridge and pontoon construction. Some other proposed enhancements to the corridor remain unfunded.
