Puget Sound Regional Council                                   psrc.org
  Regional Coordination     at work
  Transportation Policy Board and Growth Management Policy Board
 
              June 12, 2008

The Transportation Policy Board was briefed on the SR 520 Tolling Implementation Committee.

The new committee is set to have its first meeting next week at PSRC offices to begin a conversation with the public regarding tolling options and the best terms for users of the bridge, taxpayers and the adjacent communities. Tolls have been identified by the legislature as a way to help pay for a new 520 between Seattle and Bellevue. The meeting will be held Tuesday, June 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at PSRC. See www.build520.org for more details.

For more information contact Charlie Howard at 206-464-7122 or choward@psrc.org.

The Transportation Policy Board recommended approval of additional PSRC funds to the projects on the contingency lists from the 2006 selection process.

An additional $29.4 million in federal Surface Transportation Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds became available in early 2008, in addition to $4.4 million from PSRC's project tracking program. The Transportation Policy Board is recommending distributing $30.9 million of these funds to projects on the contingency lists from the last funding cycle and keeping $2.9 million in reserve due to potential future federal funding cuts. Projects recommended to receive contingency funds include: Pacific Highway South HOV Lanes in Federal Way, King County Bus Rapid Transit Implementation, and several local projects in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

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

The Transportation Policy Board began its conformity review of the program of projects included in the draft options for Sound Transit's ST2 2008 Update.

Sound Transit has identified two possible options, in addition to the adopted ST2 plan, for public input. Both draft options include light rail extensions, enhancements to current stations and parking availability, and more frequent commuter rail service. Both options would be accomplished over 12 years, as opposed to the 20 year program contained in the adopted ST2 plan. One option would require a 0.4 percent sales tax increase and provide 18 miles of Link light rail and the other would require a 0.5 percent sales tax increase and provide 23 miles of Link light rail. If the Sound Transit Board adopts an updated plan , PSRC is required by state law to make a finding that the proposed plan conforms to the regional transportation plan, Destination 2030.

PSRC's conformity review process will evaluate whether Sound Transit's regional transit system expansion plan is consistent with regional plan policies, including policies aimed at all major transportation investments in the region.

For more information, contact Mary Pat Lawlor at 206-971-3272 or mlawlor@psrc.org.

In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:

  • Recommended adoption of a routine amendment to the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) adding projects from Auburn, Bellevue, Carnation, King County, North Bend, and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
  • Recommended authorizing the change in project status for Bellevue's Destination 2030 project NE 8th Street widening from candidate to conditionally approved.
  • Recommended certification of 2006 and 2007 comprehensive plan amendments for the City of Burien.
  • Heard a progress report on the region's long range transportation update.

    The Growth Management Policy Board agreed on future work tasks and activities for the remainder of FY 2008 and FY 2009. They will include:

  • Outreach to member jurisdictions and the public - This includes developing information materials that will help jurisdictions incorporate VISION 2040 in the update of their comprehensive plans. In addition, staff will prepare outreach materials for the general public on VISION 2040, including an update to the successful VISION 2040 video, "What's Next?"
  • Final VISION 2040 document - Staff will prepare the final polished version of VISION 2040.
  • Coordinate with other efforts in the region - Growth staff will use VISION 2040 to contribute to other related efforts, including environmental planning by the Puget Sound Partnership, Cascade Land Conservancy, and others; climate change efforts, transfer of development rights, and the update of the regional transportation plan, among others.
  • Investigate funding sources for infrastructure. Staff will build on research already conducted on this topic by the Association of Washington Cities and others.
  • Regional growth center presentations. Staff from jurisdictions with designated regional growth centers will be invited to present to the board. The presentations are intended to help the Growth Management Policy Board learn more about activities and trends in the growth centers and current challenges in implementing center plans.

    The board also agreed to move their regular meeting times from 9:30-11:30 to 10-12 noon.

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

    The Growth Management Policy Board heard an overview of current work by the Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development.

    The presentation focused on four topics: updates to Washington Administrative Code to address Growth Management Act provisions, housing, and infrastructure financing.

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

    The Growth Management Policy Board recommended certification of the comprehensive plan amendments for the City of Burien.

    The board found that the plan amendments meet Growth Management Act requirements and are consistent with Destination 2030, the region's transportation plan.

    For more information, contact Yorik Stevens-Wajda at 206-389-2158, ystevens@psrc.org.