OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Transportation Commission today heard from local transportation partners for a look at 2023 legislative priorities. Brandy DeLange, Government Relations Advocate for the Association of Washington Cities, discussed city transportation needs.
City streets accommodate 26% of statewide vehicle miles traveled and cities maintain 25,000 lane miles of transportation assets, but continued population growth will have a significant impact.
DeLange says Washington State’s population is expected to grow by 1.5 million people by the year 2040.
Cities largely fund their transportation systems locally; 76% of the funding comes from local general revenue and transportation revenue.
DeLange says cities are putting their money where their needs are.
She adds that only about 16% of the funding for city roads comes from the state.
The remaining 8% of funding comes from the federal level, DeLange says.
The Transportation Commission’s virtual meeting will continue tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. You can watch it via TVW or the Commission’s Facebook page.
Of interest on the Thursday agenda:
Item 12: 10:00
Highway 20 Naming – ACTION
Presenter: Arnie Marchand, American Legion, Hodges Post No. 84
Members of the American Legion, Hodges Post No. 84 in Oroville, WA, have proposed naming SR 20 within Okanogan County the “Vietnam War Veterans’ Memorial Highway”
Item 13: 10:15
Governor’s Supplemental Transportation Budget
Presenter: Erik Hansen, Senior Budget Assistant, Office of Financial Management
The Commission will be briefed on the Governor’s proposed 2023 Supplemental Transportation Budget and priorities for WSDOT in 2023. Information will also be provided on the Department of Transportation’s budget that is included in the Governor’s budget.
Governor’s Supplemental Transportation Budget (pdf 330kb)
