RAMP 1/2 @ 8AM

Agenda 1/2/13

The Fabulich Center

3600 Port of Tacoma Road; 98424

8:00     Welcome & Self-Introductions                                  

            Tom Pierson, Co-Chair, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber              

8:05     State Legislative Outlook on Transportation

            Bruce Dammeier, 25^th District State Senator

            Laurie Jinkins, 27^th District State Legislator

            Hans Zeiger, 25^th District State Legislator

8:45     Round Robin

 

9:00     Closing Remarks & Adjourn

             Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County

Next RAMP Meeting

Wednesday, February 6th – Details TBD

 

RAMP is a regional coalition including business, labor, public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improved mobility in the South Sound and Washington State. Our mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it. RAMP is co-chaired by Pierce CountyExecutive Pat McCarthy, Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Tacoma-Pierce CountyChamber President & CEO Tom Pierson.

Gregoire Releases Transportation Budget Proposal

Today outgoing Governor Chris Gregoire released her final budget proposal for the state legislature, which included a transportation budget proposal.

Gregoire highlighted transportation as “the backbone of our economy,” noting that the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma transport “99.7 percent of the state’s international container traffic.” The proposal also said that transportation projects provide much needed jobs while ensuring reliability for businesses to move goods and employees.

The proposal suggested investing in eight important transportation projects, of which two are located in Pierce County: State Route 167 Tacoma to Puyallup new corridor and Interstate 5/ Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

SR 167 was described as a “critical missing link in the state highway network.” The project was estimated at costing $1.5 billion.

Likewise, I5/ JBLM was noted as being a “critical economic lifeline for Washington and the Pacific Northwest” and a “backbone of connectivity to the ports of Tacoma, Seattle, and Olympia.” This project was cited as costing $820 million.

The proposal, unfortunately, did not include a revenue package that would fund SR 167, I5/ JBLM, or any other transportation project. Instead, Gregoire proposed an excise tax on gasoline and diesel projected at $1 billion to fund K-12 student transportation services, calling into question how these transportation projects so vital to our economy will be funded.

Gregoire Prepares Major Transportation Package

The Tacoma News Tribune reported that outgoing Governor Chris Gregoire is preparing a multi-billion dollar transportation package to be released in a budget proposal next week.

While the article noted a few major projects, it did not mention State Route 167. Gregoire said that while all of the road projects were important, any transportation package will be “dominated by maintenance and operation,” suggesting that the completion of SR-167 may be left out.

SR-167 is the primary freeway connecting the Kent and Puyallup River valleys to the Seattle/ Tacoma/ Bellevue metropolitan area. Construction of the final leg of the freeway from Puyallup to Tacoma halted in the 1980s. Completion of the project, a critical missing link in the state’s highway network, would improve safety while reducing congestion along local roads and freeways in the surrounding area. It would also move freight faster and more economically, connecting the warehouses of the valleys, as well as freeways of Eastern Washington, to the Port of Tacoma. The project would also improve surface water quality and holds other environmental benefits.

Currently, the cost to complete SR-167 is estimated at $1.5 billion. Given the project’s statewide significance, it would be detrimental if the much needed completion of SR-167 were left out of any transportation package. 

RAMP 10/3 @ 8AM

Agenda 10/3/12

The Fabulich Center

3600 Port of Tacoma Road; 98424

Part I: Candidate Denny Heck

8:00     Welcome, Self-Introductions & RAMP Priorities             

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County Executive

8:05     The Future of Transportation in the South Puget Sound Region

            Denny Heck, Candidate for Congress, 10^th CD

8:15     Candidate Heck Q&A

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County Executive

Part II: Candidate Dick Muri

8:30     Welcome, Self-Introductions & RAMP Priorities             

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County

8:35     The Future of Transportation in the South Puget Sound Region

            Dick Muri, Candidate for Congress, 10^th CD

8:45     Candidate Muri Q&A

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County Executive

9:00     Closing Remarks & Adjourn

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County Executive

           

Next RAMP Meeting

Wednesday, November 7^th - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – The Fabulich Center

Topic: Legislative Agenda

RAMP is a regional coalition including business, labor, public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improved mobility in the South Sound and Washington State.  Our mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it. RAMP is co-chaired by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO Tom Pierson.  

US DOT Creates National Freight Policy Council

At Wednesday's RAMP meeting, Carl Seip from Senator Maria Cantwell's office gave an overview of updates on federal transportation policy.

With MAP-21 passing earlier this year, the federal government established a national freight policy and called for the creation of a National Freight Strategic Plan.  However, until recently, there was no clear body implementing these provisions.

Two weeks before the RAMP meeting, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Senator Cantwell came to Puget Sound to announce the the creation of the Freight Policy Council.  The Council will include leaders on highways, rails, ports, and airports with the goal of bringing all modes together to keep the United States' competitive and increase exports.

The full press release from the US Department of Transportation can be found here: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2012/dot9812.html

RAMP 9/5 Handouts from PSRC and City of Tacoma

Handouts from this morning's RAMP meeting have been uploaded below:

- PSRC's "Decisions on MAP-21 for Washington State"
- PSRC's "FHWA Apportionments - Washington State"
- PSRC's "National Highway System in Central Puget Sound"

- City of Tacoma's "State Route 509 & D Street"

RAMP 9/5 @ 8AM

Agenda - 9/5/12

The Fabulich Center

3600 Port of Tacoma Road; 98424

  

8:00     Welcome & Self-Introductions                                  

            John Wolfe, Co-Chair, Port of Tacoma                        

8:05     Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century (MAP-21)

            Charlie Howard, Puget Sound Regional Council

8:20     Federal Transportation Update

            Carl Seip, Senator Cantwell’s Office

8:30     SR 509 to East D Street Slip Ramps

            Jilma Jimenez, BergerABAM

            Tom Rutherford, City of Tacoma

8:45     Round Robin

      

9:00     Closing Remarks & Adjourn

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County

Next RAMP Meeting

Wednesday, October 3^rd - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – The Fabulich Center

RAMP is a regional coalition including business, labor, public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improved mobility in the South Sound and Washington State.  Our mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it. RAMP is co-chaired by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO Tom Pierson.

Lane Closures on I-5 around DuPont

From WSDOT:

"Starting next week, motorists will encounter single and multiple lane closures during night hours in both directions of Interstate 5 near DuPont as crews begin a project to replace over 4.5 miles of concrete median barrier.  

Crews will close a single lane of northbound and southbound I-5 between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 4-5, to install construction signs. Barrier work, and multiple night lane closures, will begin the following week. From 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10 through Friday, Sept. 14, crews will close multiple lanes of southbound and northbound I-5 starting near Berkeley Ave. 

The closures will be repeated in both directions of I-5 in various locations within the project limits through mid-October."

Truckers back completion of SR-167

Several trucking companies from around Washington state joined the chorus calling on lawmakers to complete SR 167, a critical freight corridor of state and national significance. Finishing the remaining six miles to SR 167 from its end in Puyallup to the Port industrial area will improve access to the Port of Tacoma. 

Trucking companies expressing their support for the project include Premier Transport, PCC Logistics, Tacoma Transload and D&B Trucking of Tacoma, Tyson Trucking of Eatonville, American Container Transport of Ellensburg, Truck Force of Vancouver and Truck Express of Covington. 

For more information on SR-167, please see: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/TacomaToEdgewood/

Rail Project Will Improve Flow of Freight

President Barack Obama announced  that a project to improve mainline rail connections near the Port of Tacoma is one of four to be expedited by the federal government. The Point Defiance Bypass in Tacoma will relieve chokepoints near the Port by re-routing passenger rail and improving the flow of cargo to and from the Port. The project has already received $91 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

To better understand how this project improves freight mobility, please see: http://www.portoftacoma.com/govt-affairs

SR 509/East D Street Slip Ramps Open House

From the City of Tacoma:

You’re invited to an open house to learn more about the upcoming State Route 509/East D Street slip ramp project. The open house is scheduled for Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. in Room 405 of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (1500 Broadway).

The open house will focus on informing City residents, businesses and property owners in the area about the project features and schedule. The open house will also give participants an opportunity to comment on the preferred design alternative, or two alternatives if a preferred alternative decision has not been made.

The City will lead the design of a street and highway interchange at State Route 509 and East D Street. Once constructed, the interchange will improve freight movement into and from the Port of Tacoma as well as access to businesses on either side of the Thea Foss Waterway and to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard.

The project is entering the initial stage of selecting a preferred interchange design alternative and preparing the environmental documentation. Comment cards will be available for meeting participants to provide feedback to the project team. Additional project information is available at www.cityoftacoma.org/SR509.

RAMP 6/6 @ 8AM

Agenda - 6/6/12

The Fabulich Center

3600 Port of Tacoma Road

; 98424

8:00     Welcome & Self-Introductions                                  

            Tom Pierson, Co-Chair, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber             

8:05     SR-520 Bridge & Pierce County

            Julie Meredith, WSDOT

8:20     Puyallup River Bridge Construction

            Chris Larson, City of Tacoma

8:35     Port of Tacoma Strategic Plan Update

            Don Meyer, Port of Tacoma Commissioner

8:45     Round Robin

     

9:00     Closing Remarks & Adjourn

            Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair, Pierce County

           

Next RAMP Meeting

Wednesday, September 5^th - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – The Fabulich Center

RAMP is a regional coalition including business, labor, public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improved mobility in the South Sound and Washington State.  Our mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it. RAMP is co-chaired by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO Tom Pierson. 

RAMP + SCATBd 5/2

 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Truitt Building, Rainier Room

102 West Main Street, Auburn, 98001

DRAFT AGENDA

1.	Open Meeting & Introductions Dave Hill, SCATBd Chair, Mayor of the City of Algona Tom Pierson, RAMP Co-Chair, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO		8:00 a.m.
2.	Opening Remarks ·         SCATBd Background & Priorities Dave Hill, SCATBd Chair, Mayor of the City of Algona ·         RAMP Background & Priorities o        Pat McCarthy, RAMP Co-Chair, Pierce County Executive		8:05 a.m.
3.	The Future of Transportation in the South Puget Sound Regions ·         Rob McKenna, State Attorney General & Candidate for Governor		8:15 a.m.
4.	·         Candidate McKenna Questions & Answers ·         Closing Statements from Chairs of SCATBd/RAMP		8:35 a.m.
5.	RAMP Round Robin	Report and Discussion	8:45 a.m.

Rob McKenna, Candidate for Governor, Joins RAMP/SCATBd Meeting

PRESS RELEASE

TACOMA, Wash. – Pierce County’s Regional Access Mobility Partnership (RAMP) and King County’s South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd) are holding a joint meeting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Auburn's Truitt Building to welcome gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.

Representatives from public and private agencies throughout the area look forward to hearing Mr. McKenna’s thoughts on how we can move toward a complete system with sustainable funding.

Both RAMP and SCATBd have encouraged the State Legislature and the Governor’s Office to recognize the importance of a fully functional transportation network connecting the entire South Puget Sound region.

Event Details:

Joint RAMP + SCATBd Mtg

8 – 9 a.m.

May 2nd, 2012

Truitt Building, Rainier Room

102 West Main Street

Auburn, WA 98001

No cost to attend.

--###--

RAMP is a regional coalition including business, labor, public and private organizations and citizens dedicated to improved mobility in the South Sound and Washington State.  Our mission is to ensure a healthy regional economy associated with the development of an effective, efficient transportation system and the resources to sustain it.  RAMP is co-chaired by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy, Port of Tacoma CEO John Wolfe and Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber President & CEO Tom Pierson.  For more on RAMP, please visit http://on-ramp.blogspot.com/

SCATBd is a collaborative effort of local elected officials who are committed to improving the regional transportation system.  SCATBd represents an area that encompasses 16 cities, portions of two counties, three transit agencies, the Port of Seattle, nine legislative districts, nearly 700,000 people, and over 300,000 jobs.  SCATBd is currently chaired by Algona Mayor David Hill.  For more on SCATBd, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/PlanningAndPolicy/RegionalTransportationPlanning/Subareas/South_County_Area_Transportation_Board.aspx