Thurston Regional Planning Council’s (TRPC) Transportation Policy Board (TPB) recommended the approval of the Draft Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) in a meeting on Wednesday, September 13.
The RTIP is a four-year plan that is updated annually, providing a regional overview of funding secured and planned transportation projects, based on the local Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) developed by each jurisdiction.
The role of the TPB is to review the draft RTIP and make a recommendation to TRPC’s full council regarding its adoption in October.
“RTIP identifies a list of transportation projects that go to the state to be included in the State Transportation Improvement Program or the STIP,” explained TRPC Planner and Transportation Modeler Theresa Julius.
The RTIP also demonstrates the financial constraint for each project and demonstrates consistency with the Growth Management Act and with local comprehensive plans.
“When these projects receive federal funding, they might be eligible for an expedited amendment process in getting into the STIP, and that gets money to our local projects more quickly,” added Julius.
Some of the projects included in the RTIP are planned improvements on Lacey’s Operational Support Terminal Facility, Olympia’s Fones Road, and Tumwater’s Israel Road & Linderson Way Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements.
“Currently, the RTIP is out for public review, which is part of a series of reviews. A public notice for the draft runs through today September 13. And our outreach strategy is has included a public notice in The Olympian. It's been posted on our website. We've sent emails to our regional partners and other contact lists and Facebook posts and targeted boosts have been carried out to increase public awareness,” Julius reported.
The TPB has approved and recommended the RTIP, and it will be forwarded to the full Council for consideration.
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