Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308 – 360-705-7070
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC executive director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – Community leaders and local officials from Bellevue and along the Interstate 405 corridor will meet virtually with the Washington State Transportation Commission next week to share their perspectives on transportation issues, challenges, and successes, as well as impacts to transportation from COVID-19.
The meeting will take place over two days, starting Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 12 – 5 p.m., and reconvening Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Due to limitations on the size of gatherings in response to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted using Zoom Webinar. People interested in attending can find participation instructions and a link to register on the commission website.
Tuesday’s meeting starts with an update on the I-405/State Route 167 express toll lanes Low-Income Tolling Study. The study is assessing the effects of tolling on low-income drivers of the I-405/SR 167 express toll lanes. The project team will present possible low-income toll program options for further study, as well as provide an update on a survey that will be conducted of low-income residents in the corridor area.
The City of Bellevue will provide an overview of its transportation investments and key needs to support the growing regional economy. Then, the Puget Sound Regional Council will present on their Vision 2050 plan, adopted in October. This plan provides a guide for sustaining a healthy environment, thriving communities, and a strong economy. It includes multicounty planning policies, actions, and a strategy for how and where the region will grow through 2050. The presentation will provide a specific focus on the eastside and Bellevue.
Sound Transit and the cities of Bellevue, Renton, and Kirkland will present on two major Sound Transit projects: the East Link Extension, adding 10 light rail stations by 2023, and I-405 bus rapid transit services connecting Eastside cities from south Snohomish County to south King County. The day ends with a presentation on Bellevue’s adaptive traffic signal system.
On Wednesday, a panel will give a presentation on transportation equity and innovation. To address its residents’ diverse transportation needs, Bellevue has partnered with King County Metro and Hopelink to create programs to help address first and last mile transportation issues. Then, Bellevue staff will brief the commission on major transportation projects the city is implementing to support the BelRed transformation from a semi-industrial district into a vibrant mixed-use community.
The commission will hear from the Bellevue Downtown Association and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce about transportation priorities for Bellevue’s business communities in the growth corridor.
The meeting will conclude with a panel briefing from King County Parks Division; cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond; and Facebook about the Eastrail, a 42-mile-long regional trail built on a former rail corridor. The Eastrail will connect Eastside cities, offering a transportation alternative and recreational opportunities. Trail owners and stakeholders will provide an overview of the trail, highlight key projects, and describe private sector investment.
Written public comment will be accepted via email, at transc@wstc.wa.gov, until 4 p.m. the day before the meeting. Written comments received after this deadline will be provided to commissioners after the meeting. Questions can also be asked during the meeting by using the “question” box found on-screen during the meeting, and as time allows, will be addressed during the meeting.
The Washington State Transportation Commission holds meetings across 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 transportation policy recommendations to the State Legislature and Governor that reflect priorities throughout the state of Washington. For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit: https://wstc.wa.gov/.
Presentations will be available on the commission’s website before the meeting.
SPECIAL NEEDS
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 event sponsor (Commission Office at (360) 705-7070). 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, 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 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 360-705-7082.