FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2010
Contact: Mary Pat Lawlor, 206-971-3272 or mlawlor@psrc.org

PSRC Seeking Public Comment on Projects Recommended for Special Needs Transportation Funding

SEATTLE – The Puget Sound Regional Council is seeking public comment on special needs transportation projects recommended to receive funding from PSRC’s Coordinated Grant Program. The Coordinated Grant Program funds eligible projects from Federal Transit Administration Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom funds and ranks projects applying to WSDOT’s Consolidated Grant Program.

Examples from the 30 recommended projects are:
Beyond the Borders, Pierce County Community Services, $566,860
Preserve the Hyde Shuttle, Senior Services of King County, $583,298
Snoqualmie Valley Transportation – Sustain Funding, Mount Si Senior Center, $574,822
Transportation Assistance Program, Senior Services of Snohomish County, $730,000
Transit Services Continuing Demand-Response Project, Stillaguamish Tribe, $178,997
Move People Efficiently, Kitsap Transit, $276,000

A total of $5.8 million was requested for special needs projects, including $2.3 million asked of PSRC and $3.5 million asked of PSRC and WSDOT. State funds awarded through the WSDOT ranking process will be determined after the state budget is approved in 2011. When this determination is made, PSRC and WSDOT will work cooperatively to award the program of projects, in priority order. Projects not receiving funding from the initial round will be put on the contingency list. Projects will stay on the contingency list, in order, throughout the two-year competitive cycle. The funding amounts are subject to change based on final funding availability. More information is available here.

How to make a comment:
Mail: Puget Sound Regional Council
ATTN: Mary Pat Lawlor
1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98104-1035
E-mail: mlawlor@psrc.org
In Person: January 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Transportation Policy Board or January 27 at 10 a.m. at PSRC

The public comment period runs from December 9 – January 27, 2011. Written comments received by January 6 will be included in the agenda packet for the Transportation Policy Board meeting on January 13, when it finalizes its recommendation to the Executive Board. Comments can be made in person at the Transportation Policy Board meeting, as well as the Executive Board meeting on January 27, when the funding is scheduled for final approval.

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 about $160 million in 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.

This public notice of public involvement activities and time established for public review and comments on the TIP development process will satisfy the FTA’s Program of Projects requirements.

Title VI Notice: PSRC fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, call 206-587-4819.

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