Washington State Transportation Commission – NEWS
Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
360-705-7070
Date: April 19, 2017
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)
CENTRALIA – Local officials and community leaders from Centralia, Chehalis and the Lewis County area will meet with the Washington State Transportation Commission next week to share their perspectives on transportation issues, challenges, and successes.
The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, in the Council Chambers, Centralia City Hall, 118 Maple St. This is a public meeting and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so during the public comment period scheduled for 4:15 p.m.
The meeting features a series of short presentations on transportation topics in the Twin Cities’ region, including flooding, freight movement and tourism. The agenda also includes briefings on the transportation needs in the urban area of Centralia and Chehalis, transportation issues for the Chehalis Tribe, state highway preservation and maintenance, and public transportation.
Floods in 1990, 1996, and most recently in 2007, closed Interstate 5 in Lewis County and severely damaged local infrastructure. The Chehalis Basin Flood Authority and the Washington State Department of Transportation will discuss how a basin-wide flood control plan would protect critical transportation infrastructure in the future.
Two panels will address the connections between transportation and economic development in Centralia, Chehalis and Lewis County. The Lewis County Economic Development Council and the Port of Chehalis will discuss how rail and highway access are critical to economic vitality. Representatives from the White Pass Scenic Byway, the Centralia Downtown Association, and the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team will describe how bike paths, pedestrian safety, passenger train service, and electric charging stations can help grow tourism and recreation.
The Washington State Transportation Commission holds several meetings throughout the state each year to gain insight from local government, industry and citizens about transportation issues that affect their communities and region. This information helps the commission to develop and implement transportation policies and recommendations to the State Legislature and Governor that reflect the priorities of the people and local governments throughout the State of Washington. In 2017, the commission also will meet in Friday Harbor, Kent, Leavenworth and Spokane Valley.
For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: wstc.wa.gov
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information
Accommodation requests for people with disabilities can be made by contacting the WSDOT Diversity/ADA Affairs team at wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling toll-free, 855-362-4ADA (4232). Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may make a request by calling the Washington State Relay at 711.
Title VI Statement to Public
It is WSDOT’s policy to assure that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin or sex, 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 federally funded 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.