The Transportation Policy Board recommended adoption of the 2013-16 Regional Transportation Improvement Program.
The draft 2013-16 Regional Transportation Improvement Program includes all the projects selected for PSRC funds in addition to projects funded with other federal, state, and local funds. The draft TIP has been reviewed for air quality conformity, consistency with the region's plans, federal requirements and environmental justice considerations. The public comment period began September 13 and is scheduled to end on October 25, 2012, when the Executive Board takes action. Watch the discussion or view the presentation at psrc.org.
For more information, contact Kelly McGourty at 206-971-3601 or kmcgourty@psrc.org.
The Transportation Policy Board recommended approval the Scope of Work for the Transportation 2040 Update.
PSRC is updating Transportation 2040 to meet state and federal mandates and to reflect changes that have occurred in the region since 2010. The update will be done within the framework of the current plan and existing Environmental Impact Statement and will continue to support the adopted VISION 2040 regional growth strategy and economic objectives through an integrated mobility, environmental, and financial strategy. Key elements of the plan update include prioritization, an updated financial strategy, and an approach to meet the region's maintenance, preservation, and operations needs. The Executive Board is scheduled to act on this on October 25, 2012. View the presentation at psrc.org.
For more information, contact Robin Mayhew at 206-464-7537 or rmayhew@psrc.org.
The Transportation Policy Board discussed the new federal transportation law Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21).
Washington has begun efforts to implement MAP-21, which included new directives for both transit and highway programs. For transit, MAP-21 establishes performance-based planning, more predictable formula funding, and new regulatory authority for safety. In addition, it emphasizes a state of good repair and streamlines special needs transportation funding programs into one funding program. For highway programs, MAP-21 expands the national highway system, establishes performance-based planning, supports safety, consolidates funding programs, and accelerates delivery. View the presentation at psrc.org.
For more information, contact Charlie Howard at 206-464-7122, choward@psrc.org.
In other business, the Transportation Policy Board:
- Welcomed Kevin Desmond, King County Metro Transit, Joni Earl, Sound Transit, and Joyce Eleanor, Community Transit for a presentation on transit funding.
- Recommended approval of a routine amendment to the 2010-13 Regional Transportation Improvement Program.
- Met with Growth Management Policy Board members for an informal workshop on PSRC Data Tools. View the workshop or presentation online at psrc.org.
The Growth Management Policy Board agreed to move its regular meeting time to the first Thursday of the month, beginning in January 2013. The board will meet in PSRC's Boardroom.
The Growth Management Policy Board heard about progress on implementing VISION 2040, the region's strategy for growth, transportation, environmental, and economic planning.
VISION 2040 includes 68 specific implementation actions. Half of the actions have been completed or are well underway. The policy board discussed next steps for going forward on additional actions, which could include an industrial lands inventory, pursuit of additional funding for regional growth centers, and support for the 2015-2016 local comprehensive plan updates. Watch the discussion or view the presentation online at psrc.org.
For more information, contact Rocky Piro at 206-464-6360, rpiro@psrc.org.
The Growth Management Policy Board heard a briefing on the Regional Open Space Strategy.
Spearheaded by the University of Washington's Green Futures Lab, the Regional Open Space Strategy is an effort to conserve and enhance open space systems that contribute to the ecological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic vitality of the central Puget Sound region. This effort helps to advance a key action item in VISION 2040 calling for a regional green space strategy. A preliminary comprehensive strategy has been released, and detailed information is available on the Regional Open Space Strategy website. View the presentation online at psrc.org.
For more information, Jeff Raker, ROSS Project Lead, at 206-685-0521, ross.gfl@gmail.com.
The Growth Management Policy Board received a status report on the draft scope of work for the Transportation 2040 Update.
Key elements of the plan update include prioritization, an updated financial strategy, and an approach to meet the region's maintenance, preservation and operations needs.
For more information, contact Robin Mayhew at 206-464-7537, rmayhew@psrc.org, or visit the Transportation 2040 Update web page.
