FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2004
Contact: Michele Leslie, (206) 587-4819 or mleslie@psrc.org
Have a Say on Transportation Projects Slated to Receive PSRC Funding
SEATTLE—
The Transportation Policy Board has released for public comment 119 transportation projects recommended to receive $325.5 million in Puget Sound Regional Council funding as well as an additional number of projects that are receiving funds from other sources. The projects meet a diverse range of needs in the four-county area and include the South Lake Union Street Car, I-90 Two Way Transit HOV, Mukilteo Multimodal Terminal relocation and expansion, Sounder Commuter Rail to Lakewood and Airport Link Light Rail. The numerous roadway improvements include SR 305 in Poulsbo, 112th St. SE/I-5 Bridge widening in Everett, and corridor construction at 70th Ave E and Valley Ave E in Fife. The recommendation also includes a wide assortment of trail extensions as well as pedestrian and bicycle enhancements.
The Regional Project Evaluation Committee, the Seattle-Tacoma-Everett Federal Transit Administration Caucus, the Transportation Operators Committee, and four county level transportation forums recommended the projects via competitive processes. All of these projects are part of the draft 2005-07 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and have been modeled for air quality conformity. Together, the projects have met federal and state requirements for the region.
A complete list of the projects is available online at www.psrc.org/projects/tip. Many of the projects can also be viewed geographically in the TIP's web based map.
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.
The 119 projects include the program of projects funded by the Federal Transit Administration is also included in the TIP for the region's transit agencies, which include Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro Transit, Pierce County, Pierce Transit, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Monorail and Washington State Ferries. Thirty-five projects were selected for this funding, totaling $233.7 million.
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.
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, see http://www.psrc.org/about/titlevi/index.htm or call 206-464-6175.