Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
(360) 705-7070
Date: February 13, 2019
Contact: Reema Griffith, Transportation Commission Executive Director, 360-705-7070
OLYMPIA – At its February meeting, the Washington State Transportation Commission will act on a request from members of the Oso community to recognize the 43 people who perished in the catastrophic landslide of March 22, 2014. At 11:15 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, the commission will hear from members of the Oso community and designate the portion of State Route 530, from milepost 22 to milepost 45, the “Oso Slide Memorial Highway.” The Washington State Department of Transportation will place signs on SR 530 before the 5-year anniversary of the slide.
Other major topics on the agenda include ferry service, planning for active transportation, and innovative transportation initiatives.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Wednesday, Feb. 20, and Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. This meeting is open to the public and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so during two public comment periods during the meeting see agenda for detail.
Wednesday’s meeting begins with a report on the results of the just-completed survey of the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group survey panel on several policy issues regarding Washington State Ferries, including fare policy and customer service issues. Following this briefing, two faculty members with the University of Washington, Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, will report on their study of ticketing and loading procedures at the Fauntleroy ferry dock and suggest ways to improve terminal operations. Some of their recommendations may affect fare setting and policy by the commission this spring.
Washington State Ferries staff also will provide an overview of its biennial review of safety performance, service effectiveness, cost containment and capital program effectiveness.
On Wednesday afternoon, the commission will learn about collaborative ventures by King County Metro and Pierce Transit with transportation network companies to improve public transportation service and reduce operating costs. Then, City of Tacoma Councilman Ryan Mello will brief the commission on its exploration of passenger ferry service between Tacoma and Seattle.
Wednesday’s meeting concludes with a report from WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division on updating the state plan for bicycle and pedestrian transportation.
Thursday morning features presentations on two more innovative transportation initiatives: options for transit-oriented development at Kirkland’s Kingsgate Park and Ride on Interstate 405, and digital infrastructure for the emergence of autonomous vehicles. The meeting concludes with a presentation of the Report Card for Washington’s Infrastructure developed by the Washington Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: www.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.