In a recent meeting, Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) officials presented the proposed transportation budget for 2025-2026, emphasizing a focus on safety, maintenance, and the potential impact of an upcoming transportation levy. Director Greg Spotts and Finance Manager Chris Godwin outlined the budget's alignment with the Seattle Transportation Plan, which aims to enhance the city's street network over the next two decades.

The proposed budget allocates approximately $20 million in 2025 and $5.5 million in 2026 from the existing \"Levy to Move Seattle,\" which is set to conclude at the end of 2024. However, the budget does not account for additional resources that would be available if a new transportation levy, totaling $1.55 billion over eight years, is approved by voters on November 5. Spotts noted that without this new funding, SDOT would face significant limitations in capital project opportunities, focusing instead on maintaining existing infrastructure.

The budget reflects a reduction in general fund support, impacting both operational and capital expenditures. Key areas of focus include routine maintenance, emergency response, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Notably, the budget proposes cuts to large-scale transformative projects, which would limit the development of new bike lanes and transit infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, the department plans to continue several significant projects funded by the current levy, including improvements to transit corridors and bike infrastructure. A federal grant of $25 million is expected to support nearly 100 safety projects, particularly in underserved communities.

As the budget process moves forward, SDOT officials indicated that they would seek to amend the budget should the new levy pass, allowing for increased spending authority and staffing to support new initiatives. The meeting underscored the critical need for voter support to sustain and enhance Seattle's transportation infrastructure in the coming years.