Virtual Meeting Agenda – Olympia, Washington
This meeting will be conducted using Zoom Webinar. Registration is required to participate. Please visit the WSTC website for instructions. For those unable to attend the meeting virtually, please contact the Commission Office for assistance at 360.705.7070 or email transc@wstc.wa.gov.
June 17 – Register
June 18 – Register
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, June 17, 2025
Item 1: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
PUBLIC HEARING
Item 2: 9:05
Advancing Toll Rate Proposals for the Puget Sound Gateway Expressways & SR 167 Express Toll Lanes
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
John White, Administrator, Puget Sound Gateway Program, Washington State Department of Transportation
Karl Westby, Traffic Lead, Puget Sound Gateway Program, Washington State Department of Transportation
Rob Woeck, Deputy Program Administrator, I-405/SR 167 Program, Washington State Department of Transportation
A. Review of Toll Rate Proposals & Public Input:
The Commission issued toll rate proposals for the Puget Sound Gateway (SR 509 and SR 167 Expressways) and the SR 167 express toll lanes in April, and this item will conclude the rate-setting process with anticipated action by the Commission. Before action is taken, an overview of each proposal will be provided, along with a review of public input gathered.
B. Public Comment on Toll Rate Proposals (9:30 am)
- Please indicate which tolled facility your comments are on.
- 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.
C. Commission Discussion & Vote – ACTION
Break: 10:10
REGULAR WSTC MEETING
Item 3: 10:20
Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group (FROG) Winter Survey on WSF Performance
Presenters: Chelsea Benning, Chief Research Officer, Olympic Research and Strategy
Bill Young, WSTC Survey Program Oversight, Research Assurance
Results and findings from the annual Winter FROG performance survey will be presented, providing updates on key performance metrics based on ferry riders’ experience during the winter period.
Item 4: 11:00
Selection of 2025/27 Ferry Fare & Policy Proposal – ACTION
Presenters: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
Todd Lamphere, Senior Director of Finance, Administration and Employee Services, Washington State Ferries
Siri Olson, Senior Manager, Financial Planning & Fare Setting, Washington State Ferries
Tom Thiersch, Chair, Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs
Washington State Ferries will present its proposed fare and policy changes for the next two years based on direction set by the 2025 Legislature. The Chair of the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs (FAC-T) will provide thoughts on the WSF proposal and FAC-T preferences. The Commission will discuss the WSF and FAC-T input and will advance its fare proposal for public comment. Final action to adopt new fares and policies is expected to occur in August 2025.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Item 5: 1:00
Streamlining the Toll Rate Setting Process
Presenter: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
The 2025 Legislature enacted SB 5702, authorizing the Commission to adopt a streamlined toll-setting process. An overview will be provided on the law changes and the next steps for implementing the new law.
Item 6: 1:20
Repealing Current Tolling Exemptions on Bridges for Transit Operators – ACTION
Presenters: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
The 2025 Legislature directed the Commission to repeal current toll exemptions on bridges offered to transit operators by October 1, 2025. The effect of this change, once enacted by the Commission, will be that transit will pay tolls when crossing a tolled bridge. An overview of the process to carry out this change will be provided, and the Commission will be asked to approve the start of the rule-making process.
Break: 1:45
Item 7: 2:00
University of Washington ProxiCycle Study
Presenter: Joe Breda, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
A University of Washington-led team has developed a system, called ProxiCycle, that logs when a passing car comes too close to a cyclist (within four feet). Deployed at scale, the system could support mapping or navigating cyclists on safer bike routes through cities. The Commission will hear more about the testing and implications for improving traffic safety.
Item 8: 3:15
Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Toll Rate Scenarios Update – ACTION
Presenter: Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
An overview will be shared of proposed modifications to the current toll rate scenarios under analysis for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. The Commission will be asked to approve the proposed changes.
Item 9: 3:45
Advanced Tolling Technology Pilot Overview
Presenter: Travis Dunn, Vice President, CDM Smith
The Legislature has directed the Commission to undertake a study to pilot advanced tolling technology provided by the private sector in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Transportation, with a final report due to the transportation committees of the Legislature by July 1, 2026. An overview of the anticipated work plan for the project will be shared and discussed.
Recess: 4:30
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 – Reconvene Day 2
Item 10: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 11: 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 12: 9:15
Commission Business
Presenters: Paula Reeves, Senior Policy Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
Carl See, Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission
- May Meeting Summary
- Approve Final Route Jurisdiction Study Report – ACTION
- Appoint Commissioner to I-5 Bridge Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee – ACTION
- Update on Status of Advancing a Low-Income Tolling Program
Item 13: 10:00
Northwest Seaport Alliance – New Partnerships and Innovations
Presenter: Don Esterbrook, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Seaport Alliance
The Commission will hear about an innovative partnership between the Puyallup Tribe and the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to build a new terminal at the Port of Tacoma as well as other innovative work going on at NWSA.
Item 14: 10:45
City of Seattle Autonomous Vehicle Operational Report
Presenter: Armand Shahbazian, Electric & Automated Mobility Lead, City of Seattle
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will discuss its recent research conducted in collaboration with the University of Oregon’s Urbanism Next Center to ensure that autonomous vehicle deployment in the city is shaped by the community and deployment is equitable and transparent.
Item 15: 11:30
Washington Transportation Plan WTP 2050 Update
Presenter: Jonathan Overman, Senior Associate, Cambridge Systematics
The Commission’s process for updating Washington’s 20-year statewide transportation plan is nearing completion. An overview will be provided on the draft plan and discussion of the next steps. The Commission intends to approve the final plan at its July meeting.
Item 16: 12:00 p.m.
Clean Transportation Update
Presenters: Jonathan Olds, Senior Policy Specialist, Environmental Services Office, Washington State Department of Transportation
Barb Chamberlain, Director, Active Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation
WSDOT will provide an update on a variety of clean transportation programs it is pursuing as it works to comply with state and federal mandates on clean air, safer streets, and more.
Item 17: 12:30
WSDOT Secretary’s Report
Presenter: Julie Meredith, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation
The Secretary of Transportation will provide an update.
Item 18: 12:45
Commission Business
- Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 1:00
Next Meeting:
July 15-16, 2025
In-Person Meeting
Spokane, 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.