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News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2005
PSRC Seeking Public Comment on Transportation ProjectsSEATTLE— The Puget Sound Regional Council is encouraging public comment on the proposed Annual Air Quality Amendment to the 2005-2007 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). 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 regions long-range transportation plan, Destination 2030. The air quality amendment is developed to include all new regionally significant projects and assure that the region continues to meet federal and state clean air requirements, a fundamental condition for receipt of federal funds for all transportation projects in the region. This year's proposed amendment to the regional TIP contains nine new projects that were funded by the state Legislature in 2005 with new gas taxes. The projects are among over 128 new safety and traffic bottleneck improvements - large and small - scheduled for action in the region between 2007 and 2014. The status of all 128 improvements is uncertain pending the outcome of a statewide vote on Initiative 912 this November, which would repeal the gradual 9.5 cent increase in the state gas tax approved by the Legislature in 2005. One immediate planning impact of voter approval of I-912 would be major revisions to the content of the TIP amendment, post-election, prior to forwarding it to the Governor and federal agencies for approval. The Puget Sound Regional Council is encouraging public comment on the proposed 2005-2007 TIP amendment this month through October 27th. The air quality 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. The Web site, www.psrc.org, includes details and maps on all the projects, plus more information about the PSRC. Public comment on the air quality amendment is encouraged by October 13th, when the PSRCs Transportation Policy Board will review comments received to date and make its recommendation to the Executive Board, which is scheduled to take action on the TIP on October 27th. Time will be allotted for public comment at both the Transportation Policy Board meeting on October 13 at 9:30 a.m. and the Executive Board meeting on October 27th at 10 a.m.
Send Written Comments to: The 128 projects include an update to the program of projects funded by the Federal Transit Administration, to add four new projects for $4 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 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, contact PSRC at 206-587-4819 or see http://www.psrc.org/about/titlevi/index.htm.
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