SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5368

BYSenators Nelson and Bender; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee

Changing the criteria for determining priority for urban arterial improvement projects.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 2989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, McMullen, Madsen, Murray, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

                  February 14, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988, the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) was established and directed to develop criteria for roadway projects to be funded by the newly established transportation improvement account.  Criteria for funding includes multi-agency projects, those projects addressing congestion caused by economic development, local matching funds, and multi-modal solutions.

The urban arterial program is also administered by the TIB.  This program was established in 1967 to assist urban areas with the improvement of arterial roadways.  Urban arterial trust account (UATA) funds are apportioned to projects by region of the state and by function or class of arterial.

The allocation of UATA funds to projects submitted by cities and counties is based on five roadway criteria:  (1) structural ability to carry loads; (2) capacity to move traffic; (3) alignment and geometric characteristics; (4) accidents; and (5) fatal accidents.  These criteria do not presently take into account use of a facility or corridor by high-capacity vehicles.

A Joint Subcommittee on Public Transportation of the House and Senate Transportation Committees recommended that the criteria for allocation of urban arterial improvement projects be refined to include the person-carrying capacity of an arterial in addition to the measure of its capacity to move traffic.

SUMMARY:

The criteria by which urban arterial projects are prioritized for funding by the Transportation Improvement Board is to include consideration of the person-carrying capacity of the facility as improved.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association