A second bridge across the Tacoma Narrows is all but certain, now that the state House of Representatives has voted to approve $800 million in loans to finance the project.
The measure passed Monday on a 52-44 vote, mostly along party lines, and breaks an impasse that stalled legislation for more than a year.
It authorizes the state, rather than a private company, to borrow the money for construction of the bridge and to collect tolls to pay for it.
The bill also would repeal a 1961 law banning tolls on the existing bridge after it was paid of in 1965.
The state Senate is expected to move quickly to approve the bill.