Washington lets state crews handle more road and ferry work

The law lets the transportation department use state crews for certain highway work below set cost limits. This covers construction, changes, repairs, and improvements to state highways, plus certain improvements on land acquired for highway routes. For urgent work, the higher limit applies when delay would threaten a state highway or endanger travelers. When the department chooses state crews, it must record its reasons. The urgent-work limit is $160,000 through December 31, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the department must calculate a new amount each year using a highway construction cost index and post it online.

The law lets the department adopt special bidding rules for certain work and purchases estimated at up to $160,000. This covers department work and purchases of equipment, materials, supplies, or operating services within the engineer's estimate limit. The rules may aim to help small businesses and veteran, minority, and women contractors compete. The rules must provide for competitive bids when competitive sources are available, except when delay would threaten life or property or inconvenience travelers.

The law lets state crews do certain ferry vessel and terminal work below specified cost limits. This covers work on ferry vessels and terminals. The middle ranges are $100,000 to $200,000 generally, and $400,000 to $500,000 during the 2025–2027 fiscal biennium. For work in the stated middle cost ranges, the department must contact qualified contractors on its small works roster. If a contractor responds with interest within 72 hours, the roster process begins. If no qualified contractor is interested and available, the department may use regular contracting procedures; emergency procedures apply when the secretary determines the work is an emergency. The $400,000 state-crew limit and the $400,000 to $500,000 contractor-contact range apply during the 2025–2027 fiscal biennium.