Local

As Trump talks infrastructure, here's what's needed in Washington state

President Trump's infrastructure plan totals $1.5 trillion, but most of the money would come from local governments and private investors.

 "Washington will no longer be a roadblock to progress, Washington will now be your partner. We'll be your partner," Mr. Trump said Monday.

With the president wanting to spend just $200 billion of federal money, expect his funding approach to be hotly debated.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP


Where one might find agreement is in the need. "It happens to be an area that can unite Republicans and Democrats. There isn't any partisan infrastructure," said Eric Johnson of the Washington Public Ports Association.

KIRO 7 sat down Monday with executives from the associations representing Washington businesses, counties, ports and cities.

Last March, they released a report about infrastructure needs in Washington, totaling $190 billion over 20 years.

"We thought hey, nobody's ever done it before, let's pull the cities, the counties and the ports together," said Gary Chandler of the Association of Washington Business.

The biggest chunk in the report is $134 billion for highways and local roads. Aviation needs $12.6 billion. The need for stormwater and natural resources totals $18.7 billion. And there's $5.3 billion needed for water systems.

"This is mostly not shiny projects, this is stuff in the ground that people don't see, that have been in the ground for fifty years that need maintenance, they need operation dollars," said Peter King from the Association of Washington Cities.

The report found marine ports need $5.3 billion and bridges need $4.2 billion. It also highlights $450 million needed for rural broadband.

 "If you don't have broadband, you're not going to get industry to go there," Chandler said.

The associations put the report together in part so Washington's congressional delegation could know what to request.

They all agreed, President Trump's plan is the starting point.

"We know that's the starting point. Now Congress gets to talk about it in what they suggest in terms of infrastructure," said Eric Johnson of the Washington State Association of Counties.