The Executive Board adopted amendments to the FY2004-05 Biennial Budget and Work Program to include new work PSRC will be doing to assist with long range High Capacity Transit planning.

PSRC staff will work collaboratively with Sound Transit and other transit agencies in the region to develop an independent analysis of future high capacity corridors. The study will assess existing and future land uses within the region's corridors as well as potential technologies. Independent national experts will evaluate initial conclusions and the PSRC staff will develop a report assessing the likely economic development effects from transit investments. Sound Transit is providing $365,000 for PSRC to complete this work, which will require two additional staff members.

For more information, contact Eli Cooper at (206) 464-7122 or ecooper@psrc.org.

The new program will provide financial incentive and assistance to get rural corridor interests together, enhance communications, clarify policies, and coordinate funding opportunities. The new program will begin with a pilot project on SR 203 from Monroe to Fall City to launch coordination efforts and evaluate the potential of the new program.

For more information, contact King Cushman at (206) 464-6174 or kcushman@psrc.org.

The $162 million distribution includes 20 projects from the region's nine transit operators: Sound Transit, Kitsap Transit, King County Metro, Monorail Transit (existing system), Pierce County Ferries, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and Washington State Ferries. The Seattle-Tacoma-Everett FTA caucus worked with the Transit Operator's Committee to develop the proposal.

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

The nominated segments are SR-9 from SR-522 to SR-531, SR-99 from the King-Pierce County line to SR-516, SR-303 from SR-304 to SR-3, SR-520 from I-405 to SR-202, SR-527 from SR-522 to I-5, SR-531 from SR-9 to I-5, SR 523 from SR 99 to I-5 and to SR 522, and SR-704 from I-5 to SR-7. The system of Highways of Statewide Significance is reviewed every five years to fulfill requirements established by the 1998 "Level of Service" Bill. The nomination and supporting materials will be forwarded to the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Legislature.

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

The Executive Board authorized a contract to support a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project for Sound Transit and Pierce Transit.

The Sound Transit and Pierce Transit TOD project will be at the Tacoma Dome station and include a housing study for the broader station area. PSRC will contribute $25,000 to the project as part of the Transit Station Communities Project, which provides technical assistance to local governments as they create TOD projects. The Transit Station Communities Project began in 2000 with a grant from FHWA and will be finalized in December.

For more information, contact Ned Conroy at (206) 587-5670 or nconroy@psrc.org.

The proposed LOS standard is designed to meet the requirements of the 1998 "Level of Service" Bill and would establish a three-tier LOS system.

For more information, contact Allison Dobbins at (206) 464-7599 or adobbins@psrc.org.

In other business, the Executive Board:

• Authorized a contract for consultant services for a survey of government employment locations to enhance the Regional Council's employment database.
• Authorized the change in project status from candidate to approved for two Destination 2030 projects, widening SR-161 from 204th St. E. to 176th St. E. and Phase 5b of the Foothills Trail.
• Adopted a routine amendment to the regional TIP, updating information for five Washington State Department of Transportation projects.
• Revised the salary range for the Executive Director position.