Washington State Transportation Commission – NEWS
Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
360-705-7070
April 17, 2018
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – The specifics of toll rates for the State Route 99 tunnel under Seattle will be a key agenda item when the State Transportation Commission meets next week in Olympia. Commissioners also will review the Washington State Ferries’ long-range plan, and hear about progress on the state’s road usage charge pilot project.
The meeting starts 9 a.m. each day, Tuesday, April 17, and Wednesday, April 18, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.
On Tuesday morning, Washington State Ferries will report on the process, issues, and legislative criteria framing the update of its 20-year ferry system plan. This plan will set the direction WSF will take over the next several years when it comes to system operations and capital needs (boats and terminals). The commission will also begin its review of WSF’s operational strategies, which set forth measures aimed at increasing operational efficiencies and maximizing the use of current capacity within the ferry system.
In addition, a retired civil engineer who has taught a class on the history of infrastructure will present his conceptual proposal to build a tunnel under Puget Sound to allow 24-hour vehicle traffic between Seattle and Kitsap County.
Tuesday afternoon, the Office of State Treasurer will brief the commission on the financial planning requirements for the SR 99 tunnel project given there are state bonds that will be issued to finance it. The commission will then turn to its work as it narrows the toll rate scenarios under consideration for the tunnel. It must ensure the toll rates address costs required in law, including raising up to $200 million towards the project construction costs, and that the toll rates also minimize traffic diversion to alternative routes. The commission will likely make some early decisions on toll rates scenarios the next morning, moving forward some options for public review and input this spring. Tuesday’s agenda also includes a review of existing toll exemptions and fees, which currently vary between each tolled facility, and discussion on how to move toward more uniform rules across all of the tolled facilities.
Wednesday morning, the commission will hear a progress report on the Road Usage Charge Pilot Project, now in its second month. The update will include information on how the pilot is running, the make-up of the participants across the state, and the mileage recording options that they have chosen.
The commission meeting is open to the public and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so during several public comment periods throughout the two-day meeting.
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.