Roles and Responsibilities

The Washington State Transportation Commission provides a public forum for transportation policy development. It reviews and evaluates how the entire transportation system works across the state and issues the state’s 20-year Transportation Plan. As the State Tolling Authority, the Commission sets tolls for state highways and bridges and fares for Washington State Ferries.

Contact:
Reema Griffith, Executive Director
360-705-7070

Key Facts

• The Commission is a seven member body of citizens appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. The Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation and a representative from the Governor’s Office are ex officio members of the Commission.
• As a public forum for transportation policy development, the Commission develops and issues a comprehensive and balanced 20-year statewide transportation plan that reflects the priorities of government and addresses local, regional and statewide needs. It proposes transportation policy for the state and coordinates state transportation planning with national transportation policy and with local/regional land use and transportation plans.
• The Commission conducts a statewide outreach program to gather input into state transportation policy, to promote transportation education, and to gain understanding of local and regional transportation needs and challenges. The Commission reports its findings in an annual report to the Governor and Legislature.
• The Commission is designated the State Tolling Authority and as such, sets all state highway and bridge tolls as well as setting fares for Washington State Ferries.
• Supplemental policy tasks assigned to the Commission by the Legislature include:
  • Oversight of the Transportation Innovative Partnership Program
  • Conducting a ferry user market survey every two years
  • Reviewing the long-range ferry system capital plan and operating strategies, and adopting ferry system pricing policies.
  • Naming state transportation facilities.
  • Administering the route jurisdiction transfer program which includes reviewing requests and making final recommendations to the Legislature.

Current Responsibilities in Detail

Washington Transportation Plan
Every four years, the Commission recommends to the Legislature a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan. The plan must be consistent with the state’s growth management goals and be based upon transportation policy goals adopted by the Legislature. The plan is required to reflect the priorities of government and address local, regional and statewide needs, including multimodal transportation planning. The next updated plan is due December 2010.

State Ferry Fare Setting & State Highway Toll Responsibilities

• The Commission is the state’s tolling authority, setting tolls for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the SR 167 HOT Lanes pilot project, and any future toll facilities authorized on state owned facilities.
• The Commission reviews and adjusts the state ferry system fare schedule and adopts fare and pricing policies.
• The Commission reviews the long-range ferry system capital plan and operational strategies.

Ferry Customer Survey

Policy Guidance
The Commission offers policy guidance and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature in key issue areas including but not limited to:

• Transportation finance and funding.
• Preserving, maintaining, and operating the statewide transportation system.
• Transportation infrastructure needs.
• Transportation efficiencies that will improve service delivery and intermodal coordination and connectivity.
• Improved planning and coordination among transportation agencies and providers.
• Use of intelligent transportation systems and other technology based solutions.
• Climate change initiatives and challenges facing transportation.

Public Involvement & Outreach
The Commission conducts its public outreach program primarily through meetings held in both Olympia and localities throughout the state each year. Meetings held outside of Olympia focus on local and regional transportation issues and challenges, receiving information from local officials, public agencies, and other entities. In addition to regular meetings, the Commission convenes periodic regional forums to gather citizen input on various transportation issues.

Transportation Innovative Partnerships (TIP) Program
The Commission may solicit concepts or proposals for eligible public-private partnership projects. In consultation with the Governor, the Commission may execute, reject or continue negotiations on proposed public-private partnership projects.

Route Jurisdiction Transfer Program
The Commission is required to consider and act upon possible additions, deletions, or other changes to the state highway system. The Commission receives, reviews, evaluates and assesses petitions from cities, counties, or the WSDOT requesting changes to the state highway system. Once the review is done, the Commission makes a final finding and forwards its recommendation to the Legislature for final action in law.

Accountability
Consistent with developing a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan, the Commission reviews and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of state and local transportation systems. Determinations are reported to the Governor and Legislature each year.

Studies & Projects In Progress for the 2009-11 Biennium

• Updating the Washington Transportation Plan – a 20-year vision for statewide transportation.
• Conducting the second system-wide ferry customer survey and updating baseline data.

Studies & Projects Completed in the 2007-09 Biennium

• Conducted a comprehensive system-wide ferry customer survey.
• Completed the long-term ferry funding study which included long-term funding recommendations.
• Conducted a detailed analysis of tolling options for specific routes and structures, as a follow-up to the Commission’s Comprehensive Tolling Study completed in 2006.
• Held a Regional Transportation Summit to address governance and funding for regional transportation needs in the Spokane area.

News Archive
 

    Traffic & Roads | Search | Contact WSDOT | WSDOT Business | WSDOT Home