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State Transportation Commission to meet in Olympia March 18 and 19
Posted
3.13.08
Transportation Commission
Office - PO Box 47308 -
Olympia, WA 98504-7308
(360) 705-7070
Date: March 13, 2008
| Contact: |
Reema
Griffith, Transportation
Commission Executive
Director, 360-705-7070 |
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Transportation Commission will discuss Washington State Ferries, Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls and the Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) latest performance measures report when it meets next week in Olympia.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. both Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19, and will be held in the Commission Board Room of the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Avenue SE, Olympia. The meeting is open to the public and citizens have an opportunity to address Commission members during a public comment period scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Commission will consider approval of an application for Washington State Ferries’ in-need organizations program on Tuesday. The program makes it possible for non-profit and social service organizations to receive discounted ferry fares while supporting in-need clients with ferry transportation. Organizations were once able to tear coupons from frequent-user ticket books that were given free of charge to in-need clients. The new program was developed after the Wave2Go fare collection system was implemented and frequent-user ticket books were eliminated. The program allows eligible organizations to receive a discounted price while continuing to provide their clients with subsidized ferry travel.
On Wednesday the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee will present its recommendation for a toll increase starting this summer. The Committee is recommending a $2.75 toll for Good To Go! customers and a $4.00 toll for cash payers beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. The increase is deemed necessary to ensure sufficient revenue to pay down the debt associated with bridge construction and operations. In developing its recommendation, the advisory committee focused on keeping a discount for electronic toll users, while still meeting the required financial obligations for bond repayments. The Commission will consider the advisory committee's recommendation before releasing its official toll proposal on April 7 for public review. The Commission has scheduled two meetings on May 20 and 27 in Gig Harbor for public input, with the adoption of the final toll rates expected at the May 27 meeting.
The Commission will discuss with WSDOT staff the latest edition of the agency’s quarterly performance report called “The Gray Notebook: Measures, Markers and Mileposts.” Staff will describe performance measures for 32 maintenance activities, WSDOT’s Incident Response program, environmental compliance and storm water treatment, and project delivery.
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