Below are the minutes for the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee meeting, held on Friday, August 15, 2003, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in Conference Room East (6A), at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street - Floor 4, Vancouver, Washington. The agenda for this meeting is also available.
I. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes
The meeting of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee was called to order on Friday, August 15th, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room (6 Floor) at Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street Vancouver, Washington. Lynda David, Senior Transportation Planner, served as Chair for the meeting. Those in attendance follow:
Sam Adams City of Battle Ground Randy Bombardier City of Ridgefield Mike Clark WSDOT Lynda David RTC Evan Dust Clark County John Fratt Port of Vancouver Mark Harrington RTC Bob Hart RTC Shinwon Kim RTC Dean Lookingbill RTC Thomas Picco ODOT Ed Pickering C-TRAN Sandi Roberts RTC Dale Robins RTC Ellen Rogers Port of Ridgefield Bryan Snodgrass City of Vancouver Bill Wright Clark County Phil Wuest City of Vancouver Lynda David asked for any changes or corrections to the July 18, 2003, Meeting Minutes.
Evan Dust, Clark County, wanted a clarification to the minutes. Evan suggested the phrase on page 3, paragraph 3, “The objective is to not have such dramatic impact on interstate traffic in the A.M. going south and the P.M. going north”, be replaced with “One of the objectives is to reduce the volume of interstate traffic going south in the A.M. and going north in the P.M.”.
EVAN DUST, CLARK COUNTY MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE JULY 18, 2003 MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION AS STATED AND MIKE CLARK, WSDOT SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
II. Follow-up on Nickel Package MTIP Amendment, Discussion
Dale Robins presented the Follow–up on the Nickel Package MTIP Amendment. Dale said at the August 5th RTC Board Meeting, Resolution 08-03-20 was adopted which amended the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) to incorporate several WSDOT projects included in the State’s New Law or “Nickel Package” project list. Dale reviewed the projects:
- I-205/Mill Plain Exit, 112th Connector (WSDOT),
- I-5/SR-502 Interchange,
- I-5/NE 134th Street Interchange,
- SR-502, Widening from I-5 to Battle Ground,
- SW Region Bridge Rail Retrofit and
- the I-205 Corridor EIS.
Dale said the City of Vancouver will lead the I-205 EIS. Dale noted that two of the “Nickel Package” projects, the I-5 widening from Salmon Creek to I-205 and the SR-500/112th Avenue Interchange, were presented at the May 16th RTAC meeting. Contracts to build these two projects have already been awarded. Mike Clark, WSDOT, described the projects other than the two covered at the May meeting. Mike distributed colored aerial photos showing a preliminary concept for I-5 at 134th/139th Street, Mill Plain Boulevard at I-205, the proposed I-205 corridor improvements, and an option for I-5/219th Street. Lynda pointed out that on the last page of the Memorandum there is a timeline for projects.
Mike said that at I-5/134th/139th Street Interchange, the property identified for a new Park and Ride site is already tied up with an “option to buy” in place. Therefore, alternative sites may have to be identified. Mike said the WSDOT piece of the project is not scheduled to go to ad until 2011. Bill Wright, Clark County, said the County would be submitting a part of the project, the 139th Street over-crossing, as a TIB funding application.
Mike said the I-5/219th Street project is a $34.7 million dollar project and will go to ad in late 2006 and SR-502 widening will proceed through PE and right of way acquisition.
The state funding package will pay for the construction of the I-205 Mill Plain Off Ramp (112th Ave connector) so the City of Vancouver asked that federal STP dollars be moved from construction to design and that the federal discretionary dollars be moved to the I-205 Study. WSDOT and Vancouver have agreed to have WSDOT serve as the project lead on the I-205 Mill Plain Off Ramp project.
Mike said there would be a ground breaking ceremony for the I-5 widening project from Salmon Creek to I-205 next Tuesday (August 19th). The project cost is $34 million dollars including sales tax, engineering, and contract administration. The project could be finished as early as 2005.
Mike said the SR-500/NE 112th Avenue Interchange was started last Monday (August 11th) and will cost $23 million dollars including engineering, sales tax and contract administration. This project should be done by late 2004. Lynda pointed out that there is a lot of useful information on these projects on WSDOT’s website.
III. GMA: Model Process, Model Results, LOS and CFP Issues, Discussion
Lynda David and Mark Harrington, RTC, presented the agenda item. Lynda pointed out that last week an RTAC sub-committee met to discuss Level of Service and how each jurisdiction will deal with Level of Service in their comprehensive plan updates. Lynda distributed a handout showing the current status of Level of Service standards on transportation facilities. Lynda reviewed the sub-Committee meeting. Local plans must address the impacts of development on the state transportation system in plan updates: The sub-Committee discussed how LOS is calculated for the HSS System (1 hour peak or AADT/Capacity Ratio). Local plan authors would also like to know how to best meet WSDOT requirements of addressing impacts to the state system in the Plan. There was interest in how other regions are addressing the impacts in their Plans. There was concern that there will be segments of the HSS that do not meet the LOS standards and the Plans should disclose these corridors segments. It was noted that projects are designed to LOS “D” in the urban area.
Sub-Committee members noted that the established LOS standards relate to the Average Travel Speed for facilities depending on their free-flow speed. Members thought it would be appropriate to review the established LOS standards once results from the regional travel forecast model using the “proposed” comprehensive land use plan are available.
The sub-Committee also discussed procedural methods to attain LOS standards especially as this relates to concurrency. The procedures can include using a 2-hour rather than 1-hour peak and bi-directional traffic rather than just peak direction, traffic volume/capacity and multi-modal solutions. The RTAC LOS sub-Committee suggested that the RTC Board be briefed on LOS issues and the Board’s direction sought on issues such as:
- HSS facilities: Does the region want to make formal comment on WSDOT’s LOS standards especially as it is unlikely that these standards can be met.
- Non-HSS: Is the adopted LOS (Dec.2001) still appropriate? The community may resist changes to LOS standards.
- How do we deal with system build-out and LOS? There are highway facilities in the region that are “built-out” as no further widening is feasible or appropriate.
Another key issue discussed by the sub-Committee was system affordability; what is the appropriate level of investment or how much funding is available to try to meet transportation levels of service. In the next week, staff will be focusing on how identified system deficiencies are addressed in the CFP project lists with a financial plan to support the projects listed.
Mark Harrington, RTC, reviewed regional travel forecast model results in a Power Point presentation. The presentation included review of the “Proposed” GMA Plan regional travel forecast model run results including land use inputs, assumptions and initial output, a comparison with the MTP inputs and with the five alternatives analyzed in the Comprehensive plan DEIS, maps of land use changes, demographic assumptions and volume to capacity ratios. Mark said that the average household size in Clark County is 2.69 in the 2000 census. There was some discussion about how household size and composition is a major influence in trip generation in the regional travel forecast model. The 2023 household size assumed by Clark County in the “Proposed” Comprehensive Plan update is also 2.69. Dean Lookingbill said the 2023 household size should reflect the metropolitan population composition and should consider the aging population and how households are formed.
Mark reviewed forecast traffic volumes for various locations throughout the County. This model run uses the “Proposed” land use plan and the MTP list of projects as its transportation network. The I-5 Interstate Bridge shows close to 7,000 vehicles crossing the river in the northbound direction in the p.m. hour and 4,300 in the southbound direction. I-205 volumes show a significant increase over MTP I-205 volumes with 12,000 northbound in the p.m. peak hour and 5,700 southbound. Mark reminded RTAC members that we are forecasting for travel demand. Lynda pointed out that in the I-205 Corridor study we actually controlled the volume coming over the I-205 Bridge recognizing that not all of the demand could be met and this would have an impact on up-stream traffic and the transportation improvements needed in the corridor. There was some discussion about peak hour spreading. Mark said jurisdictions could download Arc Explorer from the ESRI website for free that would allow them to view the Arc View shape file that contained the EMME/2 model results.
Mark said he would be completing one additional round of modeling with a full list of Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) projects. Representatives of jurisdictions were asked to submit any projects to be incorporated into the model by early the next week. Evan Dust said Eric Eiseman, Chuck Green and himself would be looking at a package of improvements to add for the Ridgefield Junction area.
IV. TIB Project Applications, Discussion
Dale Robins, RTC, presented the TIB Project Application agenda item. Dale said the purpose of the Memorandum was to outline a set of projects for submittal to the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for statewide competitive funding. Dale pointed out the projects list is for RTAC members to review. Dale said RTAC should advice on whether any projects should be removed from or added to the list.
Dale said that over the years our region has worked cooperatively to coordinate efforts to develop successful statewide competitive grant applications. In order to continue the success of our region, RTC staff and jurisdictions have once again been working to coordinate TIB grant applications. The TIB programs funded this year include Arterial Improvement Program (AIP), Transportation Partnership Program (TPP), Small City Program (SCP), and Pedestrain Safety and Mobility Program (PSMP). Dale noted that often the same project would be submitted for both the AIP and TPP programs.
Dale reminded RTAC Members that Grant Applications would be due to RTC on Monday, August 25, 2003. Grant applications will be submitted as a region under a regional cover letter. An RTC Board of Directors resolution supporting project submittals will be sent following the September 3, 2003 RTC Board Meeting.
Dale said the TIP does not require projects to be the in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan at the time of project submittal but it is preferable for projects to come from an adopted MTP. Dale said the City of Ridgefield wants to move forward with I-5 interchange area improvements and Battle Ground has two projects, South Parkway and SW 20th Avenue, that are not in the MTP. Dale said the real issue is should the RTC Board support projects that are not currently in the MTP.
Dale highlighted the Arterial Improvement Program and Transportation Partnership Program. Dale said the AIP program is for improving the existing arterial street system to reduce congestion and increase traffic safety. Statewide, the program size is $35 million of which $3 million is allocated to the Southwest Region. He said the TPP program is to improve the mobility of people and goods by supporting economic development. Statewide the program size is $35 million of which $14 million is statewide competitive and $5.2 million is for the west region.
He reviewed the Small City Program and said these projects address the structural condition of the roadway, roadway geometric deficiencies, and safety issues. Statewide program is $5 million of which $1.75 million is allocated to the West Region. The Pedestrian Safety & Mobility Program is for improving pedestrian safety and access along arterials. Statewide the program size is $2 million with $200,000 available in both the small city and urban program for the West Region.
RTAC had discussion concerning the project list and there were minor corrections to the list. The final list will be sent forward for RTC Board approval.
Dale said to submit your projects, they may not fund this year, but by the next few years it has better chance to be funded.
Dale said he will be the sole reviewer for the grant applications as there was insufficient time to set up a sub-Committee for review. The TIB needs letters of support from project partners indicating the money partners will contribute to the project.
PHIL WUEST, CITY OF VANCOUVER, MOTIONED FOR SENDING THE TIB PROJECT LIST FORWARD FOR ENDORSEMENT BY THE RTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS. BILL WRIGHT, CLARK COUNTY, SECONDED THE MOTION. IT WAS UNANAIMOUSLY APPROVED
V. Other Business
Dean Lookingbill, RTC, gave a brief overview of Senator Patty Murray’s Field Hearing held in Vancouver on Wednesday, August 13. Dean said Murray will take the formal testimony provided back to the Senate Transportation Appropriations Sub-Committee. The testimony provides support for helping to obtain federal earmarks for local projects. Ten government officials and business leaders provided testimony including ex-Senator Hatfield (Oregon), Bruce Warner (ODOT), Don Wagner (WSDOT), Mayor Royce Pollard (Vancouver), Commissioner Craig Pridemore and a representative of Tri-met as well as freight and business representatives. Dean said the testimony was geared mostly to bi-state projects, the I-5 corridor, and Commissioner Pridemore touched on the GMA process. Senator Murray will use the testimony in support of these projects. Dean said Senator Murray held the hearing open for fifteen days for additional written testimony.
A. RTAC Members
B. RTC Staff
Lynda David, RTC, distributed a handout titled “An Opportunity to Host a Walkable Community Workshop”. She said that the National Center for Bicycling and Walking is soliciting applications from MPOs for a second round of the Walkable Community Workshop program. RTC applied last year but was unsuccessful. Spokane, Washington was the only successful MPO in the northwestern region in the first round of applications. Lynda said she had contacted the MPO in Spokane and they reported having a very positive experience when they hosted workshops. Jennifer Campos, City of Vancouver, prepared the 2002 application and is willing to work on it again. Lynda said she was wondering what the interest from RTAC is for a 2003 application. She said staff will come from the NCBW and will host approximately eight Community wide meetings. They give a demonstration on how important it is for the community to walk then walk with meeting participants out into the neighborhoods and school zones to identify community needs. C-TRAN is willing to partner in this as well as Vancouver. The City of Ridgefield also voiced its support. Bill Wright, Clark County, said they would be interested if it had an emphasis on safety issues. Lynda said if we were chosen we would need to host workshops between February and June of 2004. The program will continue to operate on a shared-cost basis: each selected MPO will provide an $8,000 fee and, in exchange, will receive approximately $20,000 worth of training, technical assistance and direct support. Details on how the program works are provided in the application. The website gives more information. Lynda said we would move forward with the application and see how we rate.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m. The next meeting will be Friday, September 19, 2003.
For More Information Contact:
Regional Transportation Council
1300 Franklin Street, Floor 4
Vancouver, Washington 98660Tel: 360-397-6067
Fax: 360-397-6132
E-mail: info@rtc.wa.govServed by C-TRAN Route 3.
If you have special needs, please contact RTC.
       
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