Background Information

The project selection process to distribute the remaining Transportation Enhancements funds through the end of SAFETEA-LU (FFY 2007-2009) has been revised. Of the $25 million available, the 2007-09 State Transportation Budget has allocated $8.2 million to the following: $4 million to the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety grant program, $3.5 million to the Museum of Flight pedestrian bridge, $0.5 million to the WSDOT-SR 543 retaining wall design, and $0.25 million to the WSDOT-Wildlife Fence. Additionally, there are two statewide projects in need of additional funds - $1 million for the Confluence Project and $1 million for the Washington Resource Protection Program.

As a result, there is $14.8 million remaining for the 2007 Enhancements process. WSDOT has determined that each region will be allowed to submit three projects to a statewide competition; therefore, there will be no regional project selection process for these funds. Selected projects must be able to obligate the funds within two years of approval (scheduled for December 2007). WSDOT has determined the pool of eligible projects to be those funded during the 2006 project selection process that need additional funds, or those submitted into the statewide competition in 2006.

    - WSDOT Call for Projects Memo
    - List of Projects Eligible to Compete for FFY 07-09 Enhancement Funds in the PSRC Region

PSRC's Transportation Enhancements Committee met on June 18, 2007 and recommended projects to the Transportation Policy and Executive Boards based on the following three priorities: a) projects that could be completed with these additional funds, b) safety issues, and c) to the extent possible regional and category equity. PSRC's Executive Board submitted the following three projects to WSDOT on July 26, 2007 to compete for the remaining $14.8 million of FFY 2007-2009 Statewide Transportation Enhancement funds:

  1. City of Issaquah, Issaquah Regional Trail System Last link, $3,050,000
  2. City of Lakewood, Pacific Highway-Gravelly Lake Drive to Bridgeport Way, $3,000,000
  3. King County, Safe Wildlife & Community Mobility Through Novelty Hill Transportation Improvement Project, $2,223,000