The Executive Board recommended 119 priority transportation projects, large and small, to receive $325.5 million in PSRC funding during 2005 to 2007.

The projects will be modeled for air quality testing along with the draft 2005-2007 Regional Transportation Improvement Program and be submitted for public review and comment, then will return to the Executive Board for final approval in October. The recommendation was based on four technical recommendation processes: two regional competitions, one for Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) dollars and one for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, as well as projects recommended by transportation forums in each of the counties and a non-competitive process for FTA funds. The complete list of projects is available online at http://www.psrc.org/projects/tip/index.htm.

For more information, contact Karen Richter at (206) 464-6343 or krichter@psrc.org.

The report lays out the work program that the PSRC will use to update VISION 2020. It describes alternatives and issues that will be analyzed in the environmental review and summarizes over 1,200 comments that were received during the scoping period. The report also includes information about assumptions on which the analysis will be based as well as further opportunities for public involvement. Copies of the report are available in the Information Center, (206) 464-7532 or infoctr@psrc.org. In August, PSRC will be mailing out a special edition of the Regional VIEW summarizing the report.

For more information, contact Ben Bakkenta at (206) 464-5372 or bbakkenta@psrc.org.

The Executive Board received a briefing on the upcoming review of the region's transportation plan to best prepare the region for the 2005 legislative session.

The review will meet state Regional Transportation Planning Organization requirements. Staff will use this process to develop recommendations that address three major issues related to transportation: financing, governance, and a methodology for project prioritization.

For more information, contact Kathleen McMullen at (206) 464-6172 or kmcmullen@psrc.org.

The Executive Board received a briefing from the Cascadia Center of the Discovery Institute on their regional transportation planning and governance study.

The Cascadia Center has received a ten-year $10 million dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to address the transportation challenge in Puget Sound. The Casdadia Center's goal is to provide an independent view while working "collaboratively on a long-term vision, promoting a transparent and accountable government, and advocating for expended, equitable and effective transportation funding." PSRC Executive Director Bob Drewel will be on the Board the Cascadia team will be working with, as a liaison for the PSRC. PSRC will be addressing a number of the same topics during its plan review process and will be sharing information and working with the Cascadia Center in their study.

For more information, contact Rick Olson at rolson@psrc.org or (206) 587-5060.

The Executive Board was introduced to Bill McSherry, PSRC's new Regional Economic Strategy Advisor.

William J. McSherry, Jr., current Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, will join the staff of the Puget Sound Regional Council effective September 1, 2004. "I'm delighted that Bill is joining our team. These are exciting times for regional economic development and Bill has a skill set, and a passion for the region, that will enhance our ability to mobilize around a collaborative regional economic vision," said Drewel. "This hire represents the newness of our approach to regional economic development, underscoring the collaboration required between the public and private sector to make our region more competitive."

For more information, contact Rick Olson at rolson@psrc.org or (206) 587-5060.

The Executive Board approved a routine amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The amendment updates information for four projects: Lynnwood's I-5 City Center Exit, Seattle's City Center Intelligent Transportation System, Tukwila's Central Business District Traffic Signal Interconnect, and King County's Signal Program.