Puget Sound Regional Council                                       psrc.org
  Regional Coordination     at work
  Transportation Policy Board and Growth Management Policy Board
 
              October 12, 2006

The Transportation Policy Board recommended the adoption of the final draft 2007-2010 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

The draft TIP contains the 122 projects recommended by the Executive Board in July to receive $502.4 million in new PSRC federal funds, as well as one new locally funded, regionally significant project. Air quality modeling of the projects found that they meet state and federal requirements for clean air. To view the list of recommended projects and other information about the Transportation Improvement Program, go to http://www.psrc.org/projects/tip/index.htm. The Executive Board will take final action at their meeting on October 26. Public comment at the meeting is encouraged.

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

The Transportation Policy Board recommended that the Puget Sound Regional Council continue to participate in the Transportation Partnership in 2007.

For the past two years, PSRC has been working effectively with diverse regional and statewide interests through the Transportation Partnership. The Partnership, which is co-chaired by Executive Director Bob Drewel, was instrumental in the passage of the 2005 Transportation Partnership Act and was very active in the 2006 session.

For more information, contact Rick Olson at 206-587-5060 or rolson@psrc.org.

The Transportation Policy Board discussed future action items for the Destination 2030 update, including the Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan and Destination 2030's financial baseline.

PSRC's Coordinated Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan is a joint effort between private and non-profit transportation providers, human service agencies, transit, and local planning coalitions. The plan identifies existing services and priorities for future investments, and will be used to direct funds from three sources, including PSRC's Job Access and Reverse Commute program.

The financial baseline will include new revenue estimates, based on tax-base forecasts, for the transportation programs included in Destination 2030. The update will also include estimates for project construction, preservation, operations and maintenance. The revised financial strategy will make the case for new funding and identify projects that may not be deliverable prior to 2030.

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

The Transportation Policy Board was briefed on the status of the study of the potential acquisition and uses of the 41 mile eastside rail corridor stretching from Snohomish to Renton.

The study is proceeding well and is on schedule. Five corridor scenarios emerged for discussion: use the corridor as a regional trail, regional trail plus current freight such as the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, trail plus backup freight capability, trail plus commuter rail, and trail plus high capacity transit. The advisory committee decided to rule out the trail plus backup freight capability and defer the trail plus transit options for future long-range discussions. At this time the committee is considering recommendations for using the corridor as a regional trail or as a trail with rail option in certain segments, while supporting existing freight use. The policy board will take action on this in early 2007, possibly adding it to Destination 2030 as a candidate project.

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

In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:

  • Received information about the new Growth Management Act requirement to add bicycle and pedestrian transportation planning to local comprehensive plans.

    The Growth Management Policy Board selected a preliminary Preferred Growth Alternative for the VISION 2020 update.

    The preferred growth alternative represents a vision of where growth should occur in the region over the next four decades. The region is forecast to add 1.6 million people and 1.1 million jobs by 2040.

    The preferred growth alternative builds on the region's current vision and planning by cities and counties. It focuses a majority of population growth in centers within urban areas, while minimizing growth in rural areas. The alternative encourages employment growth in regional centers, along with strong job growth in all jurisdictions.

    The board's action allows PSRC staff to conduct sensitivity tests and initial modeling for review by the Growth Management Policy Board in January-February 2007. After a final recommendation by the policy board, the Executive Board will take action in spring 2007 to release the preferred growth alternative for analysis alongside the other alternatives in a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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