? What: Open house on Washington Transportation Plan 2035 and regional transportation plans.
? When: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
? Where: Columbia Room, Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St.
? More information: www.wtp2035.com.
In 20 years, a larger economy and a larger population figure to put an even bigger strain on Washington’s highways, roads and rails.
An ongoing update to a statewide transportation plan aims to help answer the question: How will the state’s already-aging infrastructure keep up? The Washington Transportation Plan 2035, now the subject of public review, is the latest version of the state’s long-term vision.
“This document that is going out for public comment is going to be the blueprint for how we look at transportation in the state of Washington for the next 20 years,” said state transportation commission member Roy Jennings.
The Washington State Transportation Commission will host an open house on the 2035 plan Monday in Vancouver, part of a series of outreach events planned for this month. The agency is asking for public comments to be submitted by Sept. 25.
? What: Open house on Washington Transportation Plan 2035 and regional transportation plans.
? When: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday.
? Where: Columbia Room, Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St.
? More information:www.wtp2035.com.
The statewide plan isn’t designed to outline specific projects for any particular region. Rather, the document is created as a “30,000-foot” vision with guiding policies and recommendations, said Paul Parker, deputy director of the transportation commission. Suggested actions fall under one of six categories: economic vitality, preservation, safety, mobility, environment and stewardship.
Parker admits that that kind of high-level, long-range policy doesn’t resonate strongly with a lot of people. But the conversation now will affect everyone, including many Washington residents currently not old enough to drive, he said.
“We’re really talking about the transportation system for that generation coming up,” Parker said.
For example: Public transportation may bear a greater load in the future as more people gravitate to urban centers, older drivers give up their keys and other demographic changes take shape, Parker said. The state will have to be ready, he said.
Another major question is funding. While overall gas tax revenues are expected to continue rising in the next two decades, transportation officials have said they won’t keep up with the state’s needs. Fuel taxes are the largest single source of state transportation funding.
Washington and other states have recently explored the idea of a “road usage charge,” commonly referred to as a mileage tax — essentially making people pay based on how far they drive, not how much gas they use.
The Washington Transportation Plan 2035 recommends continuing to look at a road usage charge and other possible funding sources. Washington could roll out a pilot program in the coming years, Jennings said.
If the fuel tax can’t adequately support Washington’s transportation system in the future, Jennings said, “you’ve got to come up with something else.”
Also included in Monday’s open house will be regional transportation plans currently being crafted by the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council. Those efforts are more specific to Clark County, and include current and future project lists.
The statewide Washington Transportation Plan is required to be updated every four years. The 2035 version will be adopted by the transportation commission in December, then submitted to the governor and state Legislature in January 2015.
