Greetings!
Welcome to the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) e-newsletter.
We’ll bring you regular updates on our work and let you know about ways to get involved.
This is an exciting time for all of us who care about improving transportation in our region. For the first time, RTID, Sound Transit, the Washington Department of Transportation, and the Puget Sound Regional Council are working together on the biggest transportation improvements in 50 years.
The plan we’re developing integrates transit and roads to reduce traffic, improve safety, and keep people and freight moving in the most congested corridors.
People in our region want a plan that fixes the traffic mess. I’m delighted that we have the momentum and commitment to build the solution they’re looking for. I’m honored to have a role in this effort and look forward to working with you.
Regional Transportation Investment District
August 2006 Update
Quick Background on RTID
RTID was created by the state Legislature and charged with developing a transportation package that improves significant roadways and bridges in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. We are coordinating with Sound Transit to develop a Roads and Transit package to submit to voters in November 2007. Here’s an update on our recent accomplishments and upcoming work:
Public Outreach Ramps Up
We are eager to get the word out about the regional transportation plan, provide opportunities for citizens to comment, and consider changes before the plan is finalized early next year.
We have launched a new and improved web site that makes it easier to get information and provide input: www.rtid.org.
Planning is also underway for a major Roads and Transit public involvement program to be kicked off this fall. RTID, WSDOT and Sound Transit are working together on joint outreach materials and meetings to coordinate and integrate our public outreach effort.
Scopes, Schedules and Estimates Coming into Focus
The regional transportation package that outlines proposed road and bridge investments in the three-county region continues to move forward on several fronts. The goal is to produce a refined draft of our Blueprint for Progress by the end of 2006. The integrated roads and transit plan will be before the region’s voters in the fall of 2007.
The road investments could include replacing aging structures like the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the SR-520 floating bridge, and building the new Cross Base Highway and expanding I-5, SR-167, I-405 and other major roads in Snohomish, Pierce and King counties. The transit investments could include more light rail, Sounder commuter trains, ST Express buses and other improvements. We’ll keep you updated on our progress and opportunities for you to get involved.
A key focus is to define the major components of the package, including cost estimates, construction phasing and environmental protection. We are also holding meetings with Sound Transit to identify opportunities to connect with transit investments, and to tighten up financial assumptions and construction coordination.
The expertise of the Puget Sound Regional Council and WSDOT has been tapped to provide critical origin and destination information specific to the RTID projects included within the Blueprint.
Coordination and Integration
To bring all the pieces of the regional package together into one coordinated plan, RTID is working with Sound Transit, WSDOT, PSRC and other agencies with a role in regional transportation planning, financing and construction.
Right now, we’re meeting with representatives from the State Transportation Commission to evaluate tolling options beyond the SR 520 bridge, in relation to the Commission's ongoing tolling study. In addition, RTID Executive Committee Chair Shawn Bunney is scheduled to brief representatives of the Regional Transportation Commission.
The WSDOT expert review panel was also recently updated about RTID and our role with SR 520 Bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
For more information or to have the newsletter e-mailed to you, please contact info@rtid.org