Virtual Meeting Agenda – Olympia, Washington
This meeting will be conducted using Zoom Webinar. Registration is required to participate. For those unable to attend the meeting virtually, please contact the Commission for assistance at 360.705.7070 or email transc@wstc.wa.gov.
Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout the state by finding the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot: www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/washington-state-drive-in-wifi-hotspots-location-finder/
Meetings are webcast live on TVW
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Commission reserves the right to take action on any item on the agenda, make adjustments to the order of agenda items, and adjust the time of adjournment as needed.
Public Testimony
Those wishing to offer comments can do so during the public comment period either in person or virtually, after registering online. To sign up for virtual comment, using the Q&A box found on-screen during the meeting, indicate your name and that you would like to provide comments. Written comments can also be submitted via email at: transc@wstc.wa.gov.
The Commission welcomes all viewpoints and requests speakers be courteous, respectful, and comply with time limitations as specified by the Commission Chair. Unacceptable behavior, including vulgar and obscene language, threats, and personal attacks, will result in removal from the meeting.
Safety First
If you plan to engage in this meeting from your car, we encourage you to do so while parked.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Item 1: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 2: 9:05
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER)
Presenters: Bruce Agnew, Director, PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program
Betz Mayer, Assistant Director, PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program
PNWER, which works to advance the economy of the five Pacific Northwest states and five Canadian provinces, will provide an overview of emerging issues and opportunities in regional rail and freight mobility. Panelists will keep the freight theme going with context-setting introductions to agenda items 3, 4, and 5 below.
PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator
Item 3: 9:20
WSDOT Freight, Rail, and Ports Update
Presenters: Jason Biggs, Director, Rail, Freight, and Ports Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Tom Lang, Program Manager, PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program
WSDOT’s Rail, Freight, and Ports Division will provide an update on its activities and preparations underway for the Seattle FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Washington’s Rail Network
WSDOT Rail Update
Break: 10:00
Item 4: 10:15
Green Farms to Green Ports – Strengthening Supply Chains
Presenters: Stephanie Bowman, Maritime Sector Lead, Washington State Department of Commerce
Diahann Howard, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Benton
Beth Swanson, Communications Director, Tri Cities Intermodal, LLC
Strategic investments in our ports, mainline rail corridors, short line railroads, as well as supporting technology can help move goods to and from the coast and boost the economy. This panel will discuss prioritizing investments across our region to build a more robust and resilient freight network.
Port of Benton
Strengthening Green Supply Chains
Item 5: 11:15
Emerging Issues and Opportunities in Urban Freight Mobility
Presenter: Chris Eaves, Freight Program Lead, Seattle Department of Transportation
Anne Goodchild, Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering and Founding Director of Urban Freight Lab, University of Washington
This panel will discuss the Seattle Department of Transportation’s efforts to create a Freight-and-Bus-Only (FAB) lane on Westlake Avenue, along the west side of Lake Union. It will share other emerging opportunities and challenges facing freight mobility in the Puget Sound Region and across the state.
SDOT Freight Program
Urban Freight Lab
Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Item 6: 1:00
Transportation Partners: A Look Ahead at 2025 Legislative Priorities
Presenters: Ashley Probart, Executive Director, Transportation Improvement Board
Carl Schroeder, Director, Government Relations, Association of Washington Cities
Chris Herman, Senior Director, Washington Public Ports Association
Justin Leighton, Executive Director, Washington State Transit Association
Transportation partners will highlight their fiscal and policy priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.
Transportation Improvement Board
Association of Washington Cities
Item 7: 2:00
Governor’s Transportation Budgets
Presenter: Erik Hansen, Senior Budget Assistant, Office of Financial Management
The Commission will be briefed on the Governor’s proposed 2025 supplemental transportation budget and the proposed 2025-27 biennium transportation budget.
Governor Inslee’s Proposed Transportation Budget
Item 8: 2:30
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Loan Update
Presenter: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
An update will be provided on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB) loan assessment as required under current law.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Loan Update
Break: 3:00
Item 9: 3:15
Public Input Survey Results – I-405 / SR 167 Express Toll Lanes (ETLs)
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
The Commission will be briefed on the results of an online survey conducted in late November through mid-December that gathered public input on possible future changes to toll rates and policies on the I-405/ SR 167 ETLs.
I-405 / SR 167 Public Input Survey
Item 10: 3:45
Gray Notebook
Presenter: Sreenath Gangula, Assistant Director, Performance Measurement, Transportation Safety and System Analysis,
Washington State Department of Transportation
The Gray Notebook is WSDOT’s quarterly performance and accountability report. This presentation will provide an overview of performance metrics for key agency functions.
Recess: 4:30
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – Reconvene Day 2
Item 11: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 12: 9:05
Public Comment
Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker.
- To sign up for virtual public comment, please put your name and interest in the Q&A box found on screen during the meeting.
- The Commission welcomes all viewpoints and requests speakers be courteous, respectful, and comply with time limitations as specified by the Commission Chair.
Item 13: 9:15
Commission Business
Presenter: Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
- December Meeting Summary
- Legislative Session Kickoff
Item 14: 9:30
Maximizing the Use of State Highway Right of Way
Presenters: Mark Gaines, State Design Engineer, Development Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Juli Hartwig, State Landscape Architect, Development Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
An update will be provided on WSDOT efforts to expand the use of highway right of way and state-owned parcels, including the placement of solar infrastructure, establishing pollinator colonies, and placing roadside technology to enhance driver information and safety.
Use of State Highway Right of Way
Item 15: 10:00
Update on Bicycle Highway Action Plan
Presenter: Celeste Gilman, Strategic Policy Administrator, Active Transportation Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Bicycle or cycle highways are usually separated paths or trails that connect to activity centers. The Legislature directed WSDOT to conduct a study on bicycle highways and create an action plan by June 2025.
Item 16: 10:30
WSDOT Secretary’s Report – Critical Funding Needs
Presenter: Roger Millar, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation
WSDOT’s Secretary of Transportation will provide an update on the most critical funding needs for the statewide transportation system, looking ahead to the next biennium.
Investing in a Resilient Transportation System
Item 17: 11:15
Commission Business
- Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 11:30
Next Meeting:
February 19-20, 2025
Hybrid In-person/Virtual Meeting – Olympia, WA
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information: Individuals requiring reasonable accommodations may request written materials in alternate formats, sign language interpreters, physical accessibility accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations by contacting the Commission Office at (360) 705-7070 or TransC@wstc.wa.gov. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the event sponsor through the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1.
Title VI Notice to Public: It is the Washington State Transportation Commission’s (WSTC) policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise discriminated against under any of its programs and activities. Any person who believes his/her Title VI protection has been violated, may file a complaint with WSDOT’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OEO’s Title VI Coordinator 360-705-7090.