Transportation Commission to discuss commute changes, ferry fare changes, transportation funding

Transportation Commission Office – PO Box 47308 – Olympia, WA 98504-7308
Contact: Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director, 360-705-7070 (Olympia)

Hybrid in-person/virtual meeting takes place May 16-17 in Olympia

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Transportation Commission will meet in Olympia May 16-17 to learn about changes to commuting patterns post-pandemic, get an update on transportation funding for the 2023-2025 biennium and discuss ferry fare changes to come following legislative direction.

The commission will also hear a presentation on the Hood River Bridge Traffic and Revenue Study, undertaken to determine the ability of tolls to contribute to financing a future replacement of the nearly century-old Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge. The bridge crosses the Columbia River between Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington.

The meeting takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, at the Washington State Department of Transportation Headquarters Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus. The public is invited to attend and can offer comments during the public comment period scheduled for 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17. Written comments can also be submitted via email to transc@wstc.wa.gov.

While the meeting is being held in person, it will also be streamed online, and those wishing to participate virtually may register on the commission’s website. TVW will stream a live webcast of the meeting.

Highlights of the topics to be covered at the meeting include:

  • Evolution of the work week commute: On Tuesday, the commission will hear the findings of the recently released Seattle Commute Survey, which sought to understand when and through what modes of transportation people traveled to and through the city.
  • The Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge recommendations: Also on Tuesday, the commission will hear about the Hood River Bridge Traffic and Revenue Study findings and recommendations to be released in a report to the Legislature in June.
  • Transportation budget overview: Staff from the governor’s budget office will provide an overview of the enacted biennial transportation budget on Tuesday.
  • Ferry fare revenue expectations: Tuesday, the commission will hear about the biennial ferry fare revenue requirements as it prepares to kick off its 2023 fare-setting effort in June.
  • Colman Plaza naming: On Wednesday, the commission will vote on whether to approve a Washington State Ferries’ recommendation for naming two newly constructed plaza areas at Colman Dock in Seattle.

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 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 Equity and Civil Rights (OECR). For additional information regarding Title VI complaint procedures and/or information regarding our non-discrimination obligations, please contact OECR’s Title VI Coordinator 360-705-7090.