Regional Coordination   at work
  Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board                 psrc.org
 
              June 29, 2006

The Executive Board received a status report on the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall replacement and SR 520 Bridge Replacement.

The Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement may be done in one of two ways: a new elevated structure or a cut and cover tunnel. The tunnel option would cost between $3.7 and $4.5 billion, and take about 7 to 10 years to complete. The elevated structure option would cost between $2.7 and $3.1 billion, and may take about 10 to 12 years to complete. WSDOT currently has $2.4 billion of funding for the project.

The SR 520 Bridge Replacement Draft Environmental Impact Statement is evaluating 4, 6, and 8 lane alternatives. The 4 lanes would include two general purpose lanes in each direction and a bicycle/pedestrian trail. The 6 lanes include two general purpose and one HOV lane in each direction as well as a bicycle/pedestrian trail. The 8 lane option adds a third general purpose lane. WSDOT plans to begin construction in 2009 and open the bridge by 2013. WSDOT has identified $1.25 billion in funding and needs $750 million to do the 4 lane option and up to $3.75 billion for the 8 lane option. Tolls are planned to pay for a portion of the construction cost.

For more information, contact Mike Cummings at 206-464-6172 or mcummings@psrc.org.

The Executive Board authorized the contract for the Passenger-Only Ferry Study.

The study will address a number of tasks designed to synthesize current efforts and information with a policy and market analysis that will help determine regional roles and develop a regional passenger-only ferry strategy. The strategy will be integrated with the update of Destination 2030. The $250,000 study will be funded through PSRC contingency funds and regional Surface Transportation Program funds identified through PSRC's project tracking system. PSRC will also pursue additional federal funds via SAFETEA-LU and work with Cascadia to arrange a fact-finding tour of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Transit Authority's passenger-only ferry system.

For more information, contact Stephen Kiehl at 206-464-6715 or skiehl@psrc.org.

The Executive Board authorized nine contracts in preparation for the new Fiscal Year beginning July 1.

Several of the contracts are extensions of existing contracts and some represent new activities for the next Fiscal Year. The contracts authorized are:

  • Additional technical system enhancements and consultant services related to the GPS-Based Value Pricing project.
  • Ongoing human resources consulting.
  • Contract with the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development for the urban design services grant.
  • Geodatabase development and support services.
  • Phase 5 development and implementation of the Urban Sim land use model.
  • Increased funding for the new accounting system.
  • Secure event space and catering services for the annual economic summit.
  • Coordinated Public Transit and Human Services Transportation Plan.
  • Additional funds for the Destination 2030 update.
  • Amendment to the Regional Air Cargo Strategy contract.

    The Board also authorized the Executive Director to apply for Federal Transit Administration grants and cooperative agreements.

    For more information, contact Diana Lauderbach at 206-587-4820 or dlauderbach@psrc.org.

    In other business, the Board:

  • Received a copy of the results of the Sea-Tac Airport Community Impact Survey. More information is available online at psrc.org.
  • Adopted a minor amendment to Destination 2030 and authorized the change in project status for five of its projects.
  • Adopted a routine amendment to the regional Transportation Improvement Program updating information for 11 projects.
  • Certified Comprehensive Plan updates for Algona, Eatonville, and Shoreline.
  • Received an invitation to attend a VISION 2020 Update Board Coordination Meeting hosted by the Growth Management Policy Board on July 13. More information is available online a psrc.org.
  • Received the press release regarding the national award the region won for stewardship via the Prosperity Partnership. The Board also recognized the awards PSRC President and Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg and PSRC Executive Director Bob Drewel received from the Municipal League of King County for their regional leadership. Executive Ladenburg was named Public Official of the Year and Mr. Drewel Public Employee of the Year.