FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2011
Contact: Rick Olson, 206.971.3050

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy Tapped to Help Lead Regional
Transportation Board

SEATTLE – Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy has been appointed Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Board of the Puget Sound Regional Council. The board guides regional transportation planning within King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties and recommends projects to receive about $160 million in federal funds each year.

“We’re delighted that Executive McCarthy has stepped up to this leadership post within the region,” said PSRC Executive Director Bob Drewel. “Her leadership will better ensure that the priorities of people throughout Pierce County are embraced in regional plans and funding.”

McCarthy was just appointed to the board by the Pierce County Council.

“Pierce County needs a strong voice at the regional transportation table,” said McCarthy. “I’m looking forward to putting our priorities in the best position to compete for funding and working within the region to make sure our overall transportation system supports jobs now and the economy of the future.”

Over the next several months the transportation board expects to develop priority projects for the next steps in improving the regional transportation system and lay the groundwork for the selection of projects for an estimated $400 million in federal transportation funds in 2012.

PSRC develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth and transportation planning in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. The Council is composed of over 80 county, city, port, transit, tribal and state agencies serving the region. It coordinates the distribution of Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration funds each year. PSRC sets priorities and evaluates the most efficient ways to target those funds to support state and local transportation and growth management plans.

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