SEATTLE— The Transportation Policy Board, at its September 9 meeting, plans to release for public comment the 119 priority transportation projects recommended to receive PSRC funding and an additional number of projects that are receiving funds from other sources. The total recommended funding for Pierce County projects is over $39.7 million. Funding for the Sounder Commuter Rail extension from Tacoma to Lakewood would complete the 82-mile system by constructing 1.2 miles of new track, improving 6.5 miles of existing track, as well as building stations, park and ride lots and pedestrian improvements along the route. Pierce Transit investments would expand their maintenance and operations facility, purchase 10 compressed natural gas buses to expand service, replace a number of buses, vans, and shuttles that are at retirement age, and provide for ongoing preventative maintenance of their fleet.

Pierce County projects include:
70th and Valley Ave Corridor Improvements in Fife, $1,050,000
Bridgeport Way 59th Ave to Steilacoom Blvd in Lakewood, $428,395
Pacific Hwy Resurfacing-108th St SW to SR 512 in Lakewood, $317,455
Milton Interurban Trail in Milton, $376,000
Ferry Boat Purchase for Pierce County, $1,802,187
Countywide 3R Program, $520,164
Pierce County Commute Options Program, $375,000
Expansion Buses Pierce Transit $7,628,234
Preventative Maintenance for Pierce Transit, $5,350,000
Replacement Vans for Pierce Transit, $2,266,000
Replacement Buses 2005 for Pierce Transit, $2,012,388
Replacement Shuttles for Pierce Transit, $1,524,458
Base Expansion for Pierce Transit, $1,034,622
9th St SW Corridor improvement- Phase I in Puyallup, $1,000,000
Sounder Commuter Rail - Lakewood to Tacoma, $8,589,159
Light Rail Pedestrian Improvements in Downtown Tacoma, $173,000
Rainier and Puyallup St Improvements Plan for Steilacoom, $124,000
Valley Ave improvements- Phase III in Sumner, $205,000
Tyler Street reconstruction- S. 38th St to S. 56th St in Tacoma, $1,455,332
Portland Ave Resurfacing- E. 28th St to Fairbanks St in Tacoma, $432,500
Tacoma Hazardous Sidewalk Replacement Program, $425,000
Tacoma Pavement Management Equipment & System Integration, $325,000
Thea Foss Waterway Public Esplanade Phase II - Alber's Mill Site in Tacoma, $150,000
Bridgeport Way 54th St to Cirque Drive in University Place, $1,575,000
SR 531 16th Dr NE to 19th Dr NE Sidewalks for WSDOT, $200,000
SR 99/Lincoln Way Vicinity - Pedestrian Enhancements for WSDOT, $372,000

HOW TO MAKE A COMMENT:
http://www.psrc.org/projects/tip/commentform.htm,
Attn Karen Richter,
1011 Western Ave Ste 500,
Seattle, WA 98104,
(206) 464-6343,
krichter@psrc.org

Written comments will be accepted until October 7 and 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 draft TIP 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 distributes about $160 million in federal transportation 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.