Washington’s critical marine highways would be protected and tens of thousands of jobs statewide would be created under a transportation budget passed by the Legislature on Thursday. Washington has the largest ferry service in the country, with more than 22 million riders annually, transporting more people than Seatac Airport. Ferries are also the state’s single largest tourist attraction, bringing in over $15 billion in tourism dollars in 2010.

House Bill 2190 funds construction of a second 144-car ferry, which could be assigned to the San Juan Islands route. In addition, the budget contains no services cuts to ferries or increases in fares.

The budget also provides for critical transportation infrastructure and increased highway safety statewide, and could create over 43,000 new jobs.

“As a resident of one of the most ferry-dependent areas of the state, I know well the effect ferry service cuts, rate-increases and inadequate capacity can have on communities. I’m extremely pleased that we were able to avoid both service cuts and rate increases while constructing another new 144 car ferry,” said Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. “But most important, we’re putting 43,000 Washingtonians to work.”

The budget preserves the current level of service, while providing funds for a second ferry boat, said Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon. Rep. Kristine Lytton, D-Anacortes said its clear how important the funding is and that the transportation budget is an example of what can happen when we leave partisanship out of the mix.

“When we put Washington first, we win,” she said.