Transportation Commission discusses ferries long-term funding in Olympia

The State Transportation Commission discussed the Long-term Ferry Funding Study final report last Wednesday when they met in Olympia.

During Wednesday’s meeting, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Transportation Commission Boardroom at 310 Maple Park Ave SE in Olympia, Cambridge Systematics presented the final Long-term Ferry Funding report to the Commission for their final review and approval.

The study identifies and evaluates long-term funding alternatives for the Washington state ferries system.

The Commission previewed those alternatives and select a preferred option which they discussed with the Governor and the Legislature before the Transportation Commission meeting in Olympia.

In addition to the ferry funding study, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) staff briefed the Commission on findings of the SR 520 Tolling Implementation Committee. The Committee and its staff developed and evaluated ten scenarios with tolls on 520 or tolls on both 520 and I-90.

The report highlights input the committee received about the ten different approaches to tolling 520 and I-90, as well as impacts on traffic, and a recommended approach to mitigation of traffic impacts from tolling.The final report was delivered to the Governor and Legislature on January 28, 2009.

Also last Tuesday, Commissioners received the latest traffic and revenue updates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. While December figures were down, primarily due to weather conditions, January figures showed a return to normal traffic of approximately 40,000 vehicles per day on the tolled span. Tolling revenue from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge typically ranges from $3.5 million to $4 million per month. The Commission closely monitors these statistics for changes in revenue and traffic trends.