A state-appointed panel charged with evaluating local high-capacity transit plans will hold its first meeting in Vancouver this week.
The expert review panel’s five members — hailing from all over the country — will review two proposed systems: a bus rapid transit line along Vancouver’s Fourth Plain corridor, and a light rail extension into downtown planned as part of the Columbia River Crossing project. The panel was announced last month as part of a state-mandated process before C-Tran goes to voters with a sales tax measure to help pay for those systems.
The review panel will take an all-day tour of the proposed locations of those systems today. On Thursday, the group will reconvene for a meeting that is open to the public. The agenda does not, however, include a public comment period.
Thursday’s meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St. The group will discuss its work plan and schedule before other local agencies deliver presentations. The meeting is scheduled to end at noon.
