Virtual Meeting Agenda – Olympia, WA
This meeting will be conducted using Zoom Webinar. 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.
Registration is required to attend virtually.
May 19, 2026 – Register
May 20, 2026 – 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: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wsbo/drive-in-wifi-hotspots/
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 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, May 19, 2026
Item 1: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presenter: Debbie Young, Chair, Washington State Transportation Commission
Item 2: 9:05
Telematic Toll Payment Pilot
Presenters: JJ Eden, Executive Director, North Carolina Turnpike Authority
Manish Chourey, Chief Technology Officer, North Carolina Turnpike Authority
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) launched a pioneering pilot program in late 2025 to enable in-vehicle, cashless toll payments without a traditional transponder. This presentation will provide a report on the pilot and discuss next steps.
Item 3: 10:00
National Transportation Funding Scan
Presenter: Mark Matteson, Fiscal Coordinator, House Transportation Committee
An overview of transportation funding approaches across the country will be provided, which was provided to the House Transportation Committee during the 2026 legislative session. As future funding sources are assessed and considered, lessons learned and the experiences of other states provide benefits that support and inform decision-making.
Break: 10:30
Item 4: 10:45
Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Update
Presenters: Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University
Brandon Hardenbrook, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Northwest Economic Region
Bruce Agnew, Director, Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program
Pacific Northwest Economic Region
The PNWER partners with Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute to assess emerging issues, trends and opportunities in trade and border security related to regional transportation. An overview of their work will be provided.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m.
Item 5: 1:00
Low Income Toll Discount Program – Update – ACTION
Presenters: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
Jennifer Charlebois, Deputy Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
The Legislature authorized the implementation of a low-income toll discount program to provide relief to qualifying drivers. The program will be phased in beginning with the SR 509 and SR 167 Expressways later this year. An update will be provided on the development of the program, financial analysis, and upcoming steps for rate setting.
Break: 2:00
Item 6: 2:15
I-405 / SR 167 Express Toll Lane Rate Setting – Update
Presenters: Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
Lisa Hodgson, I-405 Program Administrator, Washington State Department of Transportation
Jason Richter, Deputy Treasurer – Debt Management, Washington State Office of the State Treasurer
Liz Horta, Transportation Consultant, Stantec
Auden Kaehler, Vice President, WSP USA
The next segment of the I-405 express toll lanes from Renton to Bellevue is slated to open in Summer 2027. A briefing will be provided on updated analysis of toll rate and policy options for managing travel times along the entire 50-plus mile system and generating revenue to reinvest in the corridor.
Item 7: 3:15
Columbia River I-5 Bridge Replacement Program & Bi-State Tolling Efforts
Presenters: Carley Francis, Interim Program Administrator, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, Washington State Department of Transportation
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
A status update on the I-5 Bridge project will be provided including discussion around the latest cost estimates and implications for the project and financing plans.
Item 8: 4:00
Proposal to Revise Administrative Toll Fees – ACTION
Presenters: Jennifer Charlebois, Deputy Director, Toll Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Aaron Halbert, Financial Analyst, Washington State Transportation Commission
The Department of Transportation will present a proposal to adjust two administrative toll fees: the inactive account fee and the Pay By Plate Fee. The Commission is expected to initiate its public input process on the proposal to support further consideration and will identify the next steps and schedule for doing so.
Recess: 4:30
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – 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
- April Meeting Summary
- Subcommittee Updates
- Officer Nominating Committee Report
Item 12: 9:45
Washington State Department of Ecology’s ZEVergreen Progam
Presenter: Rosa Nelson, Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist, Washington State Department of Ecology
Department of Ecology representatives will provide an overview of the ZEVergreen program, an extension of Washington’s participation in the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, a partnership of 13 U.S. Climate Alliance states working together to expand consumer access to zero-emission vehicles, maintain automaker competitiveness in the global market, and defend longstanding state authority to regulate vehicle pollution.
Break: 10:30
Item 13: 10:45
WSDOT Multimodal Plan Update –WTP 2050 Phase 2
Presenters: Karena Houser, Director, Multimodal Planning Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Jeremy Jewkes, Statewide Planning Manager, Multimodal Planning Division, Washington State Department of Transportation
Timothy Barrett, Transportation Planner, Multimodal Planning Division,
Washington State Department of Transportation
WSDOT’s Multimodal Plan serves to implement the recommendations in Washington Transportation Plan (WTP). In this briefing, WSDOT staff will share an update on the Statewide Multimodal Transportation Plan, covering background information, scope of the update, and next steps.
Item 14: 11:00
University of Washington’s Transportation 2050 Project
Presenters: Bart Treece, Director, Mobility Innovation Center, University of Washington
Cecilia Aragon, Department of Human-Centered Design and Engineering,
University of Washington
Andrea Figueroa, Research Scientist and PhD Candidate, University of Washington
Susanna Lammervo, Research Scientist and PhD Student, University of Washington
By 2050, the population of the Central Puget Sound region is expected to grow by 1.5 million people to a total of 5.8 million. The University of Washington has recently completed a tool to help decision-makers understand the tradeoffs and considerations for the future of Cascadia mobility.
Item 15: 12:00 p.m.
WSDOT Secretary’s Report
Presenter: Julie Meredith, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation
The Secretary of Transportation will provide an update on behalf of WSDOT.
Item 16: 12:15
Commission Business
Commission Reflections and Reports
Adjourn: 12:30
Next Meeting: In-Person/Virtual – Kalama, WA
June 16-17, 2026
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.