On RAMP

RAMP Agenda 2/1/12

2012-01-31T09:22:00.000-08:00

8:00 Welcome & Self-Introductions

John Wolfe, Co-Chair

8:10 Governor’s Transportation Package

Veronica Marohn, South Puget Sound Regional Representative, Governor’s Office

8:35 South County Area Transportation Board (SCATBd)

Brian Ziegler, Pierce County

8:50 Round Robin

9:00 Closing Remarks & Adjourn

John Wolfe, Co-Chair

Proposed Trans Package Too Light

2012-01-17T13:46:00.000-08:00

Gov. Gregoire's 10-year, $3.7 billion transportation funding proposal focuses on maintaining and preserving the state's existing transportation system. The package does not include any essential capacity improvement projects, such as completing State Route 167.

Completing the remaining six miles of SR-167 is of critical importance to Pierce County. The project will improve mobility, and spur economic growth and jobs. Learn more.

RAMP Agenda 1/4/12

2012-01-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

8:00 Welcome & Self-Introductions

Pat McCarthy, Co-Chair

8:10 Connecting Washington

Don Meyer, Port of Tacoma

8:25 SR 167 Tolling Study Update

George Walk, Pierce County

8:35 US Senate Commerce Committee Update

Mike English, Sen. Cantwell’s Office

8:50 Round Robin

9:00 Closing Remarks & Adjourn

John Wolfe, Co-Chair

Next RAMP Meeting

Wednesday, February 1st - 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – The Fabulich Center

SR 167: Still Unfinished Over 30 Years Later

2011-12-05T12:04:00.001-08:00

The News Tribune had an in depth article discussing the long history of the SR 167 stub in Puyallup. For over 30 years, Pierce County residents and businesses have waited for a quality connection from the Port of Tacoma, Fife and Puyallup to Sumner, Auburn, east King County, and eastern Washington.

As the Port of Tacoma's Sean Eagan told the reporter, "It's a project that makes sense. It helps complete our regional road network. It should help us create and keep jobs. And that's what's most important these days."

The chamber recognizes the importance of this connection to both the local and regional economy. The chamber has supported this project through RAMP and other advocacy opportunities. Recently, Tom Pierson, Chamber President and CEO, was appointed to the SR 167 Tolling Stakeholder Committee that is working with DOT staff to develop a proposal for the state legislature.

In addition, as the Chamber prepares its legislative agenda for 2012, it will continue to advocate for the completion of this critical piece of infrastructure. Time and again, we have heard from business and industry that this road is critical to keeping south Puget Sound competitive over the next 30 years. If you have additional thoughts on how the completion of SR 167 will help your business, employees or customers, please let us know.

How WA Fares in Congestion Report

2011-12-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Texas Transportation Institute has just (November 2011) released its annual Congested Corridors Report.

Unfortunately, Western Washington made almost all the Top 40 hits list!

The Congested Corridors Report (2010 data) includes an analysis of 328 specific (directional) freeway corridors in the U.S. These corridors account for:

6 % of national urban freeway lane-miles
36% of urban freeway delay
33% of urban freeway truck delay

Each directional, adjacent and upstream segment of roadway that was congested for four hours per week was included in the corridor. The minimum corridor length was three miles.

The Report measures reliability (how much the problems change day to day), extra travel time, increased fuel consumption and congestion costs.

The stated purpose of the study is to understand how, when and where congestion occurs – as a tool to understanding what can be done. Their conclusion: all the potential congestion-reducing strategies are needed: capacity and productivity.

Here’s how Washington State ranked against the Top 40 congested highway corridors throughout the nation.

Reliably Unreliable

Unreliability is the most disturbing problem. A predictable transportation system is important to motorists and goods movers. Reliability describes the extra time you add to each trip to ensure you will be on time – when you simply can’t be late. The Federal Highway Administration has been moving towards a greater focus on performance management in its programs.