Puget Sound Regional Council                                   psrc.org
  Regional Coordination     at work
  Transportation Policy Board and Growth Management Policy Board
 
              February 14, 2008

The Transportation Policy Board heard a presentation on the SR 9 route development plan from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

WSDOT has been working with local agencies and communities to identify problems and potential improvements along SR 9 in Snohomish County. The result will be a route development plan that will include a list of short- and long-term projects to improve safety and congestion along a 30-mile segment of the highway. The plan is scheduled to be completed in 2008.

For more information, contact Richard Warren, WSDOT Project Manager, 206-464-1283, warrenr@wsdot.wa.gov.

The Transportation Policy Board received an update on regional safety data and the state highway safety plan, Target Zero.

As part of the update to Destination 2030 now underway, PSRC will develop safety strategies that address regional issues while reflecting the goals and objectives of Target Zero. As part of this effort, PSRC will continue to coordinate with state and local agencies to compile and monitor regional safety data. PSRC will host a regional safety forum in coordination with AAA and the Bicycle Alliance of Washington to provide information about safety programs, review safety progress in the region and make recommendations to the Transportation Policy Board on this issue.

For more information, contact Robin Mayhew at 206-464-7537, rmayhew@psrc.org.

The Transportation Policy Board discussed the Destination 2030 update and scoping process.

During the scoping process, people were asked to comment on the issues and priorities the plan update should address. PSRC received 156 letters containing more than 900 specific comments. (This number doesn't include comments from the Everett public open house on January 28 that had to be rescheduled for February 21 due to bad weather.)

Nearly 40 percent of the comments addressed "Congestion and Mobility, " including topics such as transit, adding capacity, better managing demand, and tolling and pricing to fund and operate the transportation system. More than 20 percent of the comments addressed "Energy and Environment," including climate change, air quality, and water quality, and the impacts of transportation on the environment.

Based on public comments and review by regional staff committees, PSRC will prepare a final scoping document that is scheduled for action by the Transportation Policy Board and Executive Board in spring 2008.

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

In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:

  • Recommended a routine amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program, adding three projects sponsored by Sound Transit and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
  • Reviewed the PSRC draft supplemental budget and work program for fiscal years 2008-2009.

    The Growth Management Policy Board discussed two upcoming VISION 2040 presentations.

    The presentations represent the final steps in the anticipated adoption of the VISION 2040 growth strategy this spring. First, policy board members reviewed draft slides for the February 28th presentation to the Executive Board, which is meant to prepare the Executive Board to take action on VISION 2040 on March 27.

    Second, the board discussed ideas for a celebratory General Assembly presentation on April 24. The board discussed the images and tone, ways to recognize the people who worked hard on developing the growth strategy, and the possibility of using music and distributing a commemorative VISION 2040 poster.

    For more information, contact Norman Abbott at 206-464-7134, nabbott@psrc.org.

    In other business, the Growth Management Policy Board:

  • Reviewed the PSRC draft supplemental budget and work program for fiscal years 2008-2009.
  • Heard a presentation on the Destination 2030 update and scoping process (see more information under the Transportation Policy Board meeting summary, above).