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• Population Growth Now on the Rise
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Uncertainties pending the outcome of November election are complicating planning for some key transportation projects as the region's annual air quality amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program is released for public comment this month.

This year's proposed amendment to the regional TIP contains nine new projects that were funded by the state Legislature in 2005 with new gas taxes. The projects are among over 128 new safety and traffic bottleneck improvements -- large and small -- scheduled for action in the region between 2007 and 2014. The status of all 128 improvements is uncertain pending the outcome of a statewide vote on Initiative 912 this November, which would repeal the gradual 9.5 cent increase in the state gas tax approved by the Legislature in 2005. One immediate planning impact of voter approval of I-912 would be major revisions to the content of the TIP amendment, post-election, prior to forwarding it to the Governor and federal agencies for approval.

The Puget Sound Regional Council is encouraging public comment on the proposed 2005-2007 TIP amendment this month through October 27th. The TIP is a planning tool that ensures coordination of hundreds of state and local projects ready to improve transportation in the region over the next two years. It verifies that the projects are coordinated and consistent with the region's long-range transportation plan, Destination 2030. The air quality amendment is developed each year to include all new regionally significant projects and assure that the region continues to meet federal and state clean air requirements, a fundamental condition for receipt of federal funds for all transportation projects in the region.

This year's amendment contains 34 projects (both new projects and project changes) that rely on a total investment of $132 million in federal, state and local funds. Nine of the new projects rely on $64.5 million in new state funds that are now uncertain pending the outcome of the election. In addition, seven other projects already in the TIP rely on $314 million from gas tax increases approved by the 2005 Legislature. (See map.)

Public comment on the entire air quality amendment is encouraged by October 13th, when the PSRC's Transportation Policy Board will review comments received to date and make its recommendation to the Executive Board, which is scheduled to take action on the TIP on October 27th. Written comments are encouraged. Or anyone can stop by any PSRC board meeting -- each meeting begins with opportunity for public comment. (See meeting times and dates in this edition of VIEW.)

Send Comments to:

	Karen Richter
	PSRC
	1011 Western Avenue, Suite 500
	Seattle, WA 98104-1035
	Via FAX: 206-587-4825
	Via e-mail: krichter@psrc.org

The 16 projects on this map are included in the proposed 2005-2007 TIP, but funding for them is dependent on the outcome of the November election.

Population growth in the region, which had slowed significantly in the last few years as a result of the 2001 recession, picked up speed during 2004-05. The central Puget Sound region was estimated to have reached a total population of 3,460,400 as of April 1, 2005, an increase of 43,800 persons or 1.3 percent over the previous year.

King County, which had gained only 9,000 persons or 0.5 percent during 2003-04, grew by 20,000 persons or 1.1 percent during 2004-05. Snohomish County also showed a notable upturn during the last year, adding 11,000 persons at a rate of 1.7 percent, compared to 7,300 persons or 1.1 percent the previous year. Pierce County experienced another year of healthy growth, increasing by 11,900 persons or 1.6 percent. Kitsap County, where population trends are strongly influenced by military activity, showed a decline in overall growth -- from 2,500 persons during 2003-04 to just 900 persons during 2004-05 -- as a result of deployments of military personnel from its bases. See Table 1.

Two-thirds, or 66 percent, of the region's current population resides in its incorporated cities and towns. Since 2000, our cities are estimated to have grown by 106,400 persons or 4.9 percent. Table 2 presents a list of ten cities that experienced the greatest nominal growth in population since 2000. These 10 cities accounted for 54 percent of the growth that occurred in the region's incorporated areas over the last five years.

The region's cities and towns vary widely in the rates of population change they have experienced since 2000. Consistent with the overall slowdown in growth across the region during the early 2000s, most cities experienced flat to moderate population change. Not surprisingly, some cities lost population during this period. On the other hand, a number of cities grew at extraordinary rates. The population of Snoqualmie more than tripled in size from 2000 to 2005, and Dupont's population more than doubled. Roy also more than tripled in size, largely as a result of completing a major annexation. Annexation activities, as well as real growth, contributed significantly to the populations of Issaquah and Bonney Lake.

The full version of this Trend can be obtained by contacting the Regional Council Information Center at 206-464-7532 or infoctr@psrc.org, or downloaded from psrc.org. A complete table of April 1, 2005 population estimates for all cities, towns, and counties in Washington are available on the Office of Financial Management Web site at www.ofm.wa.gov. For questions regarding the data presented in this article, contact Carol Naito at 206-464-7535 or cnaito@psrc.org.

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