SEATTLE— The Puget Sound Regional Council's Transportation Policy Board recommended approval of an amendment to the regional Transportation Improvement Program and planned for possible funding changes pending the outcome of the November election.
This year's amendment contains 34 projects (both new projects and project changes) that rely on a total investment of $132 million in federal, state and local funds. Nine of the new projects rely on $64.5 million funded by the state Legislature in 2005 with new gas taxes. In addition, seven other projects already in the TIP rely on $314 million from gas tax increases approved by the 2005 Legislature. The attached map shows the projects currently in question.
The Transportation Policy Board voted to do the following if state transportation funding changes:
The TIP is a planning tool that ensures coordination of hundreds of state and local projects ready to improve transportation in the region over the next two years. It verifies that the projects are coordinated and consistent with the region's long-range transportation plan, Destination 2030. The amendment is developed to include new regionally significant projects and to assure that these new projects meet federal and state clean air requirements, a fundamental condition for receipt of federal funds for all transportation projects in the region.
The Executive Board will take final action on the recommendation at their October 27 meeting. Time will be allotted for public comment at the meeting.
Send Written Comments to:
Karen Richter, PSRC
1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98104-1035
Via FAX: 206.587.4825
Via e-mail: krichter@psrc.org
Phone, e-mail or stop by the PSRC's Information Center: 206.464.4825, infoctr@psrc.org
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, see http://www.psrc.org/about/titlevi/index.htm or call 206-587-4819.
The Puget Sound Regional Council has no position on Initiative 912. This news release is for informational purposes only.