AN ACT Relating to the state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan and intercity passenger rail; and amending RCW 47.06.050.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 47.06.050 and 1993 c 446 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan shall be consistent with RCW 47.06.040 and shall identify the most cost-effective combination of transportation investments that maximizes the efficient movement of people, freight, and goods within state transportation corridors, to include public-private transportation initiatives. The identification process shall include the modal comparison of highway, ferry, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities, passenger rail, air transportation, public transit, transportation demand measures, and high-capacity transportation improvements within a state transportation corridor. The comparison of transportation modes shall include an analysis of the public, private, and social costs and benefits of transportation investments. The state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan shall also consist of:

(1) The state highway system plan, which identifies program and financing needs and recommends specific and financially realistic improvements to preserve the structural integrity of the state highway system, ensure acceptable operating conditions, and provide for enhanced access to scenic, recreational, and cultural resources. The state highway system plan shall contain the following elements:

(a) A system preservation element, which shall establish structural preservation objectives for the state highway system including bridges, identify current and future structural deficiencies based upon analysis of current conditions and projected future deterioration, and recommend program funding levels and specific actions necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the state highway system consistent with adopted objectives. This element shall serve as the basis for the preservation component of the six-year highway program and the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;

(b) A capacity and operational improvement element, which shall establish operational objectives, including safety considerations, for moving people and goods on the state highway system, identify current and future capacity, operational, and safety deficiencies, and recommend program funding levels and specific improvements and strategies necessary to achieve the operational objectives. In developing capacity and operational improvement plans the department shall first assess strategies to enhance the operational efficiency of the existing system before recommending system expansion. Congestion relief must be a primary emphasis of the capacity and operational improvement element. Strategies to enhance the operational efficiencies include but are not limited to access management, transportation system management, demand management, and high-occupancy vehicle facilities. The capacity and operational improvement element must conform to the state implementation plan for air quality and be consistent with regional transportation plans adopted under chapter 47.80 RCW, and shall serve as the basis for the capacity and operational improvement portions of the six-year highway program and the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;

(c) A scenic and recreational highways element, which shall identify and recommend designation of scenic and recreational highways, provide for enhanced access to scenic, recreational, and cultural resources associated with designated routes, and recommend a variety of management strategies to protect, preserve, and enhance these resources. The department, affected counties, cities, and towns, regional transportation planning organizations, and other state or federal agencies shall jointly develop this element;

(d) A paths and trails element, which shall identify the needs of nonmotorized transportation modes on the state transportation systems and provide the basis for the investment of state transportation funds in paths and trails, including funding provided under chapter 47.30 RCW.

(2) The state ferry system plan, which shall guide capital and operating investments in the state ferry system. The plan shall establish service objectives for state ferry routes, forecast travel demand for the various markets served in the system, and develop strategies for ferry system investment that consider regional and state-wide vehicle and passenger needs, support local land use plans, and assure that ferry services are fully integrated with other transportation services. The plan shall assess the role of private ferries operating under the authority of the utilities and transportation commission and shall coordinate ferry system capital and operational plans with these private operations. The ferry system plan must be consistent with the regional transportation plans for areas served by the state ferry system, and shall be developed in conjunction with the ferry advisory committees.