FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2010
Contact: Kelly McGourty, 206-971-3601 or kmcgourty@psrc.org

PSRC Seeking Comment on 25 Transportation Projects

SEATTLE — The Puget Sound Regional Council is encouraging people to comment on 25 transportation projects within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties slated to receive $19.9 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration. The projects would receive funding from a special program requiring that 10% of Surface Transportation Program funds be used to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience, including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and safety programs, scenic and historic highway programs, landscaping and scenic beautification, historic preservation, and environmental mitigation.

The 25 projects were selected from 88 competing proposals. Project scoring criteria included support for regional transportation objectives, community support, readiness and eligibility under the federal transportation enhancement program. They were reviewed by a staff committee representing cities and counties within the region and reviewed by the PSRC’s Transportation Policy Board, which released the list for public comment today. PSRC’s Executive Board will make the final call on October 28.

Examples from the 25 recommended projects:

• Safer Wildlife and Community Mobility through the Novelty Hill Road Corridor, Right of Way and Construction, King County (East of Redmond), $5.3 million

• Prairie Line Trail, Planning and Preliminary Engineering, Tacoma, $465,000

• Liberty Bay Waterfront Trail, Preliminary Engineering and Permits, Poulsbo, $250,000

• Light Rail Station Secure Bicycle Parking, Preliminary Engineering and Construction, Seattle, $300,000

• Scenic Beautification along SR 532 Safety Improvements, Construction, Stanwood, $63,000

Detailed information on all 25 projects is available here. For more information, contact Kelly McGourty at 206-971-3601 or kmcgourty@psrc.org.

How to make a comment:
Mail: Puget Sound Regional Council
ATTN: Kelly McGourty
1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, Washington 98104-1035
E-mail: tipcomment@psrc.org
In Person: October 14 at 9:30 a.m. or October 28 at 10 a.m. at PSRC

The public comment period runs from September 9 – October 28, 2010. Written comments received by October 5 will be included in the agenda packet for the Transportation Policy Board meeting on October 14, 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 October 28, 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.

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.

###