Call to order and Roll Call of Members
Approval of Bd Agenda
Public comments:
Port Commissioner Larry (Keister?): The east bound lane of the Camas Slough Bridge was closed restricting traffic and freight; adverse economic impact. Please request funding to fix/replace the Camas Slough Bridge.
Consent Agenda: approved
2025 – 2027 Consolidated Grant Project Rankings, Resolution 01-25-03
Details presented at the December 2024 meeting.
RTC has a role in ranking projects.
13 projects initially.
After RTC approval will be sent to WSDOT for approval.
Projects will be notified of approval in May 2025.
Transportation Performance Management: 2025 Safety Targets (PM1)
Update.
7 national transportation goals.
PM1 is the Safety performance measures.
As the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Clark County, RTC must establish performance targets. Must be set within 180 days of the WSDOT adoption of targets.
Will come back to RTC with C-tran’s public transportation safety plans.
Plans to be adopted in April/May 2025.
Number of fatalities have been 35 – 37/year for 5 years. 2025 target 25.4.
Serious injuries increased since last year (2024 target was 30.5).
Safety targets to be adopted at the February RTC meeting. There are “unknowns” due to changes in the WA State administration regarding grant status.
Comment Matt Ransom: Safety is #1 priority but the numbers are increasing. Need to apply for more grants. State will have a 2 day safety summit this summer RTC should attend. There is a national research initiative where MPO’s volunteer data. RTC will do this.
Comment Carly Francis: State financial reality is that we don’t have enough financial resources. Funding is at about 40% of the need.
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Amendment Process Guidebook:
Required to be updated every 5 years. State Growth Management Act requires review every 2 years.
Foundational document for transportation infrastructure, policy and planning.
Guidebook determines how and when to submit corrections or amendments.
Amendments are evaluated by RTC, public outreach, Regional Transportation Advisory Committee review. With RTC adoption is submitted to WSDOT, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transportation Administration for approval.
Other Business:
Carly Francis: re: Camas Slough Bridge: east bound lane is open now. $25 million was allocated for work in 2015 but it wasn’t enough to complete the project. Funds were re-allocated in 2017 to SR-14. In 2024 looked at a cost estimate which was $125 million; adding a 4 lane bridge and not removing the existing bridge. WSDOT has been underfunded for many years. $1 Billion gap in the next biennium. No project on the 6 year plan to re-do the bridge deck.
Executive Director: Matt Ransom
2025 Legislative Oulook: WA state starts Jan 13 and runs through April 11. New Governor. State budget forecast deficit $10 – 15 billion.
RTC district: newly elected legislators in the 14^th, 17^th and 18^th districts.
In the Senate: Senators King, Harris and Cortes; in the House: Representatives Wylie, Orcutt, Steube and Ley are all on the Transportation Committees.
New Secretary of Transportation to be nominated.
Statewide issues:
ferry system is a priority
Transportation budget: Cost escalations; decreased fuel tax and license fee revenues
Proposed potential legislation:
Extend tax credits for employer commute trip reduction programs
Tax incentives for investment in Class II, III railroads
Vehicle sales tax commitment to transportation program
Road usage charge (pay by mile pilot)
Future corridor study
OR Legislature January 21 – June 29
Themes:
New transportation package; Hood River/White Salmon $125 million request
Bi-state projects: Rose Quarter improvement project (not fully funded), Interstate Bridge Replacement.
OR Toll Program: Gov. Kotek suspended ODOT work on this. Could be revived in the new session.
Carly Francis: ODOT is underfunded as well. Governor’s budget didn’t include a revenue source.
Project Showcase:
2020 Regional Household Travel Behavior Survey completed. Dashboard will be on line this spring.
City of Vancouver: NW Neighborhood Connectivity Improvement.
Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting February 4, 2025.

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