| |
January 27, 2005
Staff from the Discovery Institute (Bruce Agnew and Dave Earling) acknowledged errors in the submittal of their recent publication: A Progress Report on the Activities and Recommendations of the Transportation Working Group.
The PSRC President admonished the Discovery Institute staff for not following through on their prior commitment to submit a review draft to the Board prior to its distribution. Discovery staff has apologized and agreed to issue an addendum to the report correcting errors and misstatements.
PSRC staff made clear that the recommendations of the Transportation Working Group were accurately portrayed in the report. These recommendations are located on pages 7-14 of the document.
For more information, contact Rick Olson at (206) 587-5060 or rolson@psrc.org.
The Executive Board has approved the following recommendations for advocating in the 2005 Legislative session:
Advocate for additional state funding for state and local transportation projects in the 2005 Legislative session.
Additional state funding should emphasize transportation corridors connecting urban growth and industrial/manufacturing centers.
Advocate that the 2005 Legislature develop new revenues to be distributed to cities and counties to invest in local transportation infrastructure, including transit. State funding should address city and county needs in addition to the state system.
Advocate for the creation of special category of state funding for major safety and preservation projects, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the State Route 520 Floating Bridge, and others.
Sustain the ability of the region via RCW 36.20 (SB6140 codified) to develop a transportation funding proposal and present it to voters for approval and work with the Legislature to consider changes, such as the granting of state bonding authority, additional financing tools, and ballot title revisions to expand the limit on title length.
Advocate for continued and additional funding for multi-modal transportation, including peak period transit, expanded Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) and Transportation Demand Management (TDM), and an 'active transportation' program for Safe Routes to School, bicycle, pedestrian, and transit friendly development investments.
Advocate for legislation that authorizes flexible user fees, including tolls for HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes and multi-modal investments.
Advocate for dedicated state funding to ensure state participation in the ongoing formation and financing of freight mobility project partnerships across the state, especially in the central Puget Sound region, such as the FAST Corridor, however, not at the expense of STP funding.
For more information, contact Kathleen McMullen at (206) 464-6172 or kmcmullen@psrc.org.
The Executive Board approved the RTPO Plan Review for submittal to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The RTPO Plan Review not only meets the requirements of the state RTPO legislation, but also identifies near-term priority projects, includes the recommendations made to the Legislature, and is designed to serve as input from the PSRC to the Legislature in their 2005 legislative session.
For more information, contact Kevin Murphy at (206) 464-6411 or kmurphy@psrc.org.
In other business, the Executive Board:
Approved funding for the Kitsap County Mosquito Fleet Trail Project.
Authorized the change in project status from candidate to approved for early right of way acquisition for the City of Puyallup's Shaw Road Extension.
Concurred with Designated Recipient Status for PSRC to be able to receive FTA funds for the study of possible acquisition of the BNSF eastside rail corridor. This concurrence will be forwarded on to the Governor for approval.
Adopted a routine amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program, updating information for a Kitsap Transit project, a Sound Transit project, and a Washington State Department of Transportation project.
The Executive Board also made a recommendation to encourage the Regional Transportation Investment District and Sound Transit to continue to explore the feasibility of a joint ballot measure to fund transit and road projects.
|