The Transportation Policy Board recommended approval of 125 priority projects, large and small, to receive $325.5 million in PSRC funding during 2005 to 2007.

Pending Executive Board approval, 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, and 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.

In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:

• Discussed the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) Congestion Relief Analysis.
• Received a briefing on the upcoming review of the region's transportation plan to best prepare the region for the 2005 legislative session. The Board directed staff to develop recommendations that address three major issues related to transportation: financing, governance, and a methodology for project prioritization.
• Recommended approval of a routine amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), updating information for 5 projects in Auburn, Lynnwood, Seattle, Tukwila and King County and received a summary of quarterly administrative changes to the TIP.
• Directed Executive Director Bob Drewel to work in partnership with the Discovery Institute while they research issues related to transportation finance, governance and decision-making.

The Growth Management Policy Board enjoyed a presentation on the City of Auburn's Regional Growth Center.

Paul Krauss, Auburn's Community Development Director, briefed the Board on progress made in its center related to transportation, land use and economic development. He highlighted the significant role that Sound Transit's Sounder Commuter Rail Station has played in shaping the rebirth of the historic downtown core.

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

The Growth Management Policy Board continued its review of existing VISION 2020 strategies and policies.

The Board's discussion focused on Contiguous and Orderly Development. Advice and direction from the Board will be incorporated into the update of VISION 2020, the region's long range growth, economic and transportation strategy.

For more information, contact Rocky Piro at (206) 464-6360 or rpiro@psrc.org.

PSRC completed a consultant selection process and choose Criterion Planners/Engineers from Portland, OR to implement their support software, Index, which will be customized to help visualize alternatives in during the development of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, the next phase of the VISION 2020 Update.