Washington State to Receive nearly $600 Million Dollar in High Speed Rail Monday from Federal Stimulus

Washington State to Receive nearly $600 Million Dollar in High Speed Rail Monday from Federal Stimulus!

This is great news for rail advocates in Washington, Oregon, and B.C.!

With stiff competition we are receiving nearly $600 million dollars in rail dollars from the federal stimulus High Speed Rail program.

Go to the White House Website for a full list and details on the Pacific Northwest Portion.

What does this mean:
90% on-time reliability between Seattle and Portland
2-3 more round-trips per day on the Seattle to Portland Corridor.

Considering all of the tough political competition coming from California, Florida, and the Mid-West, all with ambitious HSR plans, this is good news.

More coming soon!

Obama on Livable Communities

Last week President Obama gave a long speech to the US council of mayors where he talked about his plan for livable communities and urban revitalization. The speech, printed here with analysis, is well worth the read.

A quick highlight:

Second, we’ll focus on creating more livable and environmentally sustainable communities. Because when it comes to development, it’s time to throw out old policies that encouraged sprawl and congestion, pollution, and ended up isolating our communities in the process. We need strategies that encourage smart development linked to quality public transportation, that bring our communities together.

Poll Results: 56% Whatcom County Residents Willing to Pay a Little More for Preservation of Transit Service

Our Friends at Whatcom Transportation Authority are going to the voters this April to ask them for a .2% sales tax increase (bringing them to .8%). Like most transit agencies across the state WTA is facing rapidly declining sales tax revenues due to the lagging economy. The WTA board recently decided to go the voters to increase their sales tax and hopefully stave off pending service cuts.

They recently released a poll that 56% of the county's residents are willing to pay more taxes to preserve service. This is great news for the potential success for the measure but there is still a long fight ahead for this important campaign. Jared at the Bellingham Herald has an informative piece on the poll today here.

Jared is an intelligent local reporter with keen insight on transportation issues. His Blog has already covered the political back and forth between proponents and opponents of the campaign, which is well worth the read.

Lastly, there will be a citizen's forum on Saturday to discuss the future of transportation in Bellingham, where surely the tax measure will be one of the many topics discussed. It looks to be an interesting discussion!

On a personal note, as a son of Bellingham and a frequent visitor of my cycling/transit friendly city to the North, I very much am looking forward to helping pass this important ballot measure. WTA has done an incredible job in the past few years increasing high frequency routes and building a strong demand of choice riders the medium sized city of Bellingham. Last year ago they had the highest percentage ridership growth in the Country. To loose those impressive gains and be forced to leave riders waiting on the side of the road would be a true shame.

First Hill Streetcar Update

Two weeks ago TCC hosted a Friday Forum on the First Hill Streetcar project, where project manager Ethan Melone was on hand to present the latest alignment alternatives and answer questions. Much of this information is available on the Seattle Streetcar website, but Ethan was able to go into more detail on some of the different alignment options.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the project, the First Hill Streetcar is funded by the 2008 Sound Transit ballot measure as a way to connect First Hill to the International District light rail station to the south and the future Capitol Hill light rail station to the north. The 1996 ballot measure that created Sound Transit included a plan for a First Hill station, but those plans were scrapped due to cost issues. The streetcar will help provide access to light rail for First Hill and other neighborhoods along the route.

Through an interlocal agreement reached late last year, Sound Transit is paying for the project but the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will design and build it. SDOT has developed several alignment alternatives and hopes to make a recommendation to the City Council on a preferred alignment for a vote this April. The main 3 alignment alternatives are the Boren/Minor Alignment, the 2-Way Broadway Alignment, and the 12th Avenue/Broadway Couplet Alignment. These alternatives have been the focus of much debate in the community, but Ethan Melone pointed out that there are many other small alternatives along the line that need to be considered. I will examine these in detail starting with the International District and working towards Capitol Hill.

This Thursday: Capitol-ize on a United Front for Transportation!

TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY DAY: Sign in, show up and support more transportation choices!

Join Transportation Choices Coalition and other progressive transportation and environmental organizations such as the Cascade Bicycle Club, Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Sierra Club, Futurewise, Feet First, WashPIRG, All Aboard Washington, Uptown Alliance, and Washington Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity as we head to Olympia to fight for more transportation choices. With a short session and the state's budget crisis worsening, expect the 2010 legislative session to be fast-paced and focused on filling the $2.6 billion and growing hole in the state's operating budget. We'll be lobbying our elected officials to save transit service in communities around the state; for healthy and safe walkable and bikeable communities; and for incentives that encourage driving less.


*** Our top 3 legislative priorities -- "Transit Funding to Keep Washington Moving" (HB 2855), "Complete Our Streets" (HB 2911) and "Increased Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety" (HB 3001) -- will have a public hearing during Transportation Advocacy Day. ***


WHEN: Thursday, January 28, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

WHERE: United Churches, 110 11th Avenue SE., Olympia 98501

REGISTER ONLINE at http://www.transportationchoices.org/advocacydaysignup.asp

We'll give you the training and tips, set up your meetings with Legislators and even organize a carpool to get you there! Get your special Transportation Advocacy Day Undriver's License too!

Register online for Transportation Advocacy Day and help make a difference.

U-Link is coming!

Photo of the week from Sound Transit. U-Link is progressing; construction above and tunneling below!

Complete Streets for Washington? Introducing HB 2911

Today House Bill 2911, which was spearheaded by Transportation Choices Coalition, was introduced into the Washington State Legislature. A few days ago Jesse wrote a run down of what complete streets are and what this legislation would do if passed.

Getting this bill introduced is an exciting step forward for healthier, more walkable, and liveable communities in Washington. Which is why public health, mobility, and environmental advocates have lined up strongly behind this proposed legislation. HB 2911 would direct WSDOT to incorporate complete street design standards for all state highways within city limits across Washington. Highway corridors in urban areas, such as highway 7 in Tacoma and 99 in Seattle and rural highways that serve as mainstreets for small towns, would be designed to fit the needs of all users in those communities. It also creates a incentive grant program to pay for local arterial complete street projects in cities that have adopted complete streets ordinances.

I would like to especially thank the bill's sponsor Rep. Jim Moeller for all of his hard work on this legislation. We also garnered a long list of co-sponsors for the legislation including Rep. Dean Takko as the second, demonstrating both urban an rural support for this idea. I'll keep you posted as this legislation moves through the process, we should have an announcement soon on the timing for a hearing for the bill!

Thank you Rep. Moeller!


Our current list of co-sponsors is: Moeller, Takko, Ormsby, Morris, Nelson, Upthegrove, Liias, Williams, Simpson, Cody, Orwall, White, Morrell, Kenney
Thank you for your support!

Just In: Free ORCA Cards Extended One More Month

Sound Transit just announced that ORCA cards will remain free another month until the end of Feb. This is good news for transit riders as agencies switch to seamless ORCA cards where you need an ORCA to transfer between systems. Get your ORCA card now before they cost 5$. ST Reports that ridership on ORCA is up to 154,000 boardings per day.

No-fee ORCA card promotion extended one month

Due to high demand, transit card fee will continue to be waived through Feb. 28

ORCA smart cards, which are gaining popularity among Puget Sound transit riders, will now be available with no fee through Feb. 28. Starting March 1, 2010 a standard adult or youth ORCA card will cost $5. The promotion had been scheduled to end on Jan. 31.

“Due to the high demand for ORCA all across the region, we are extending the deadline for no-fee cards,” said Kevin Desmond, King County Metro’s General Manager. “All of the partner agencies want to ensure that our customers have an opportunity to take advantage of this no-fee card offer during this transition period when demand is high and lines at customer service outlets can sometimes be long.”

The arrival of ORCA means that most transit riders can choose to never visit a customer service office again, with a one-time exception for people who must submit required documents for Regional Reduced Fare Permits or provide proof of age for Senior or Youth discounts. Customers can avoid long lines during the transition by buying cards online or at ticket vending machines.

The “blank” ORCA cards available with no fee through February must be loaded with e-purse value and/or passes. The extended no-fee promotion should help ease the transition to ORCA and reduce temporary high volumes of activity at customer service centers. Each of the ORCA partner agencies has been taking additional special measures to meet the high demand.

Riders who use a Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) are reminded that there is no charge for converting to the ORCA card. The best time to obtain an ORCA RRFP card at customer service offices is between the 10th and 20th of each month. First-time RRFP customers who qualify for the reduced fare must still pay an initial fee of $3.

King County has established a special Metro RRFP hotline number, (206) 205-9185 for customers who have questions about the transition to ORCA. They can also find more information online at: metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/reduced_fare_permit.html

Given the heightened interest in converting to ORCA, Metro Transit’s Seattle sales offices on the mezzanine level of Westlake Tunnel Station and at 201 S. Jackson St. will be open Saturdays beginning Jan. 31 and continuing through February. Metro also plans to boost staffing at its two customer service outlets. Customers can find out more about special Metro customer service hours at: metro.kingcounty.gov/cs/custserv.html.

Getting ORCA online or at a ticket vending machine is easy.

· Visiting www.orcacard.com to obtain or revalue an ORCA card is by far the best option for people with computer access. Buying online does require planning ahead since it takes five to seven business days to receive a new ORCA card by mail and 24 hours to add value to an existing card. Online sales are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

· Ticket vending machines at Link light rail and Sounder commuter rail stations are convenient locations to immediately get an ORCA card and load E-purse value and/or a regional PugetPass product.

ORCA is a smart card-based electronic fare system for public transportation agencies serving King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. ORCA is replacing about 300 various passes, tickets and transfers with a single card that works by simply tapping the ORCA card on a reader device. ORCA cards never expire but rather can be reloaded with a new pass or more e-purse value. Riders can even set up their ORCA cards with an “autoload” feature.

As of Jan. 1, 330,000 ORCA cards have been distributed. Average weekday ORCA boardings have increased from 86,000 in December to 154,000 so far this month, a 79 percent increase.

First Hill Streetcar Update

Two weeks ago TCC hosted a Friday Forum on the First Hill Streetcar project, where project manager Ethan Melone was on hand to present the latest alignment alternatives and answer questions. Much of this information is available on the Seattle Streetcar website, but Ethan was able to go into more detail on some of the different alignment options.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the project, the First Hill Streetcar is funded by the 2008 Sound Transit ballot measure as a way to connect First Hill to the International District light rail station to the south and the future Capitol Hill light rail station to the north. The 1996 ballot measure that created Sound Transit included a plan for a First Hill station, but those plans were scrapped due to cost issues. The streetcar will help provide access to light rail for First Hill and other neighborhoods along the route.

Through an interlocal agreement reached late last year, Sound Transit is paying for the project but the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will design and build it. SDOT has developed several alignment alternatives and hopes to make a recommendation to the City Council on a preferred alignment for a vote this April. The main 3 alignment alternatives are the Boren/Minor Alignment, the 2-Way Broadway Alignment, and the 12th Avenue/Broadway Couplet Alignment. These alternatives have been the focus of much debate in the community, but Ethan Melone pointed out that there are many other small alternatives along the line that need to be considered. I will examine these in detail starting with the International District and working towards Capitol Hill.

Complete Streets Legislation on the Horizon

Legislation being sponsored this session by Rep. Jim Moeller would codify a Complete Streets policy in Washington. Although more than 100 agencies around the country have adopted some kind of Complete Streets policy, Washington would join Oregon as national leaders that have passed a state Complete Streets law if the bill passes.

What Are Complete Streets?

Complete Streets are roadways designed to efficiently and safely move people using all appropriate modes of transportation, including bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists, and public transportation users. Rather than apply a single pre-determined design to every corridor, planners work together with communities to develop project designs that are appropriate for the context and intended function of the roadway. The result is a streetscape that is safer and more accessible for all users while promoting livable communities.

What Will Complete Streets Do For Washington?

• Promote Healthy Communities - Investments to encourage walking and biking promote public transportation use and positive public health outcomes.
• Improve Public Safety - Common Complete Street design tools such as well-marked crosswalks, dedicated bicycle lanes, and reduced traffic speeds help make the roadway environment safer for all users.
  
• Preserve Local Character - The Complete Street design process emphasizes engaging local stakeholders earlier in the planning process to ensure designs reflect the aesthetic, historic, or scenic character of individual communities. Early community involvement also results in fewer cost overruns and project delays.
  
• Protect Our Environment - Easier and safer access for bicyclists and pedestrians incentivizes non-motorized modes of transportation, resulting in reduced air pollution, traffic congestion, and carbon emissions.
  

If enacted, the legislation would position Washington strongly to compete for future federal funds designated for Complete Streets.

The proposed legislation has three components:

1. Defines a Complete Streets policy and establishes it as a broad policy goal.

2. Creates a grant program within WSDOT's Highways and Local Programs division to serve as a receptor of future federal and state funds. Funds would be distributed to local retrofit projects in cities that have adopted Complete Streets ordinances.

3. Establishes a new WSDOT policy that the agency will use Complete Streets guidelines on future retrofits of state highway corridors that serve as material arterials and main streets in local communities.

Fully Containted Communities are Front and Center on First Day of Legislative Session

It is official, the 2010 legislative session is underway. The first day of session was welcomed by a gloomy downpour of rain, which pretty closely matches the general attitude of folks walking the legislative halls. That aside, the legislative campus is buzzing with activity once again.

The first hearing of major interests is the House Local Government and Housing Committee hearing, which you can watch live on TVW.

There are a few important pieces of legislation being heard today in the committee but the most interesting is Rep. Nelson's House Bill 2412.

House Bill 2412 will ban Fully Contained Communities in Western Washington. Fully Contained Communities (FCCs) are new developments outside of the Urban Growth Area. Examples of them include DuPont and Cascadia in Pierce County and Redmond Ridge in King County. As you will recall there was quite a fight around FCC's in Snohomish County last year.

As expected the developers and business interests are testifying against this legislation, while TCC and our friend's at Futurewise stand to support it.

I will be speaking in favor of the bill because fully contained communities create more sprawl and lead to increased emissions in the transportation sector. Also new FCCs require large transportation infrastructure dollars to support, because they are built outside of existing UGAs. At a time when city and county streets are crumbling and sidewalks across the state are in disrepair, it is fiscally irresponsible to spend public infrastructure dollars to build new roads leading to new sprawling developments.

One interesting thing to watch on this committee this year is now the Republican Minority leader of the House, Richard DeBolt, is serving on the committee which could drastically change the dynamics.

The issue of FCCs is not likely to go away over the next two months of session or in the years ahead.

Returning from the Slumber

Greetings, I apologize for the long break from blogging, the TCC office went into hibernation over the holidays and then we had technical difficulties around the office, but are back at it working hard every day.

Be on the lookout for lots of breaking news and analysis over the next few weeks on the blog. Legislative session starts next week and we are getting ramped up.

What's on the horizon? First off here is our legislative agenda.
-Info on emerging complete streets legislation
-A temporary transit funding bill!!!
-Organizing for transportation advocacy day (which you should sign up for asap).
-And much much more!

Happy New Year!