WSDOT Headquarters Building
Nisqually Board Room 1D2
310 Maple Park Avenue SE, Olympia, WA
This meeting will be conducted in person and will also be accessible via Zoom. 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.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Item 1: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 2: 9:05
WSDOT Safety Office Update
Presenter: Gabe Philips, Deputy Safety Office Engineer, Transportation Safety and Systems Analysis, Washington State Department of Transportation
The agency is working to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes through a “Safe Systems Approach” that is changing roadway design and prioritizing crash prevention. The Commission will be briefed on current activities and priorities of WSDOT’s Safety Office.
Transportation Safety Office Action Plan (pdf 2.3mb)
Break: 10:00
Item 3: 10:15
Recreation and Conservation Funding Board
Presenter: Brock Milliern, Policy and Legislative Director, Recreation and Conservation Office
The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board helps finance recreation and conservation projects such as parks, trails, boating facilities, wildlife habitat, and more throughout the state. Some of the funding for this work comes from transportation revenue sources. This presentation will provide an overview of the board’s current work.
Recreation and Conservation Office (pdf 2.7mb)
Item 4: 11:00
Preparing for Washington’s Future: A Grand Boulevard Housing Solution
Presenter: Peter Calthorpe, Urban Designer and Author, HDR Calthorpe
Washington state is facing a housing crisis due to the lack of affordable housing. A vision for bringing both housing and transportation reforms to key corridors throughout the state to substantially increase housing affordability will be shared.
Grand Boulevards (pdf 402mb)
Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Item 5: 1:00
Addressing Public Health Impacts of Climate Change
Presenter: Rad Cunningham, Manager, Climate and Health, Washington State Department of Health
Communities across Washington state are grappling with extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding. This panel will discuss health response strategies and adaptation planning, with a focus on transportation.
Health Impacts of Climate Change (pdf 2.9mb)
Item 6: 2:00
Toll Facility Financial Update – State Route 520 Bridge and State Route 99 Tunnel Sufficiency Analysis
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Jason Richter, Deputy Treasurer – Debt Management, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer
The Office of State Treasurer is required to confirm the sustainability of toll rates on the SR 520 Bridge and SR 99 Tunnel, in consideration of future toll-setting needs. An updated sufficiency assessment will be presented for each facility.
SR 520 and SR 99 Tolling Update (pdf 229kb)
Break: 2:30
Item 7: 2:45
Protecting & Preserving Washington’s Bridges
Presenters: Evan Grimm, Bridges & Structures Engineer, Washington State Department of Transportation
James Morin, Maintenance Operations Branch Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation
Rob Charbonneau, Priority Programming Manager, Washington State Department of Transportation
Sonia Lowry, Local Programs Bridge Engineer, Washington State Department of Transportation
Derek Pohle, Support, Training, and Compliance Manager, County Road Administration Board
Bridge maintenance and preservation has emerged as a priority for local, county, and state governments. Trends, successes, and challenges as well as current funding needs for preservation and maintenance will be discussed.
Washington State Bridges (pdf 4.5mb)
Washington’s County Bridges (pdf 1.5mb)
Item 8: 4:15
Commission Business
- Commission Representative on PSRC Executive and Policy Boards – ACTION
- Appointment to Spokane Regional Transportation Council – ACTION
- 2025 Meeting Dates in Bellevue, Spokane
Recess: 5:00
Thursday, February 20, 2025 – Reconvene Day 2
Item 9: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 10: 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 11: 9:15
Commission Business
Presenters: Reema Griffith, Executive Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
- January Meeting Summary
- Legislative Update
- Gateway Program Engagement Update
Item 12: 9:45
Route Jurisdiction Study Update
Presenters: Rob Fellows, Transportation Planning Director, WSP USA
Steve Gorcester, Chief Executive Officer, Performance Plane LLC
The Commission is conducting a route jurisdiction study aimed at assessing the current state highway system to determine if changes are needed and how such changes in jurisdiction could be measured and advanced in the future. Preliminary findings of this study will be discussed, including the mechanics of how the highway system could be assessed and approaches to improving current law criteria for determining possible changes.
Route Jurisdiction Study (pdf 1kb)
Break: 10:45
Item 13: 11:00
Transportation Policy and Advocacy Update
Presenters: Kirk Hovenkotter, Executive Director, Transportation Choices Coalition
Charles Prestrud, Director, Coles Transportation Center, Washington Policy Center
Two organizations representing different perspectives on transportation policy and advocacy will discuss their priorities for the near and longer term.
Megaproject for Safety (pdf 3.7mb)
Transportation Planning Trends and Issues (pdf 753kb)
Item 14: 11:30
WSDOT Secretary’s Report
Presenter: Mike Gribner, Deputy Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation
An update will be provided on Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) activities.
Item 15: 11:45
Commission Business
- Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 12:00 p.m.
Next Meeting:
March 18-19, 2025
Virtual Meeting
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.