Current Studies

Transportation Project Efficiencies
ESSB 5024, Sec 204(1) appropriates $325,000 for a study of transportation project cost drivers and potential efficiencies.   The goal is to construct projects more efficiently and to build and operate them at a lower cost, while ensuring appropriate environmental and regulatory protections are maintained and a quality project delivered.

Project scope is limited to state-level policies and practices related to the planning, design, permitting, construction, financing and operation of WSDOT road and bridge projects.
The study will:

  • Identify best practices
  • Identify inefficiencies in state policy or agency practice where changes my save money
  • Recommend changes to improve efficiency and save money
  • Identify the potention savings to be achieved by adopting the proposed changes 

Advisory Panel.  The study will be guided by an Advisory Panel made up of the four JTC members, representatives from WSDOT and other state agencies, and private sector representatives with experience in the issues the study will evaluate.

The Advisory Panel is expected to meet three times, on dates to-be-determined, but which may be as follows:
  • Meeting 1:  Study introduction, after Consultant has done initial analysis of cost drivers (August)
  • Meeting 2:  Discuss best practices and proposed efficiencies and/or reforms (October)
  • Meeting 3:  Review draft recommendations and draft report (November)

Report due date:   December 31, 2013
Budget:  $325,000
JTC Staff:   Beth Redfield, lead; Mary Fleckenstein, back-up
HTC & STC Staff:   Alyssa Ball, Amy Skei and Clint McCarthy

View study materials and information  

Subagents Workgroup
ESSB 5024, Sec 204(2) directs JTC to coordinate a workgroup to identify possible issues relating the administration of, compliance with, and enforcement of the 2010 law requiring a person to provide an unexpired driver’s license when registering a vehicle (RCW 46.16A.050).

The workgroup will include representatives from the Departments of Licensing and Revenue, county auditors or agents and subagents, as well as legislative Transportation Committee staff.  The workgroup will recommend whether changes are needed in the administration and enforcement of current law, identify those changes, and draft any statutory amendments needed to implement them.

Report due date: December 31, 2013
Budget: Existing funds
JTC Staff: Gene Baxstrom, lead; Mary Fleckenstein, back-up
HTC & STC Staff: Jerry Long, Amy Skei and Amanda Cecil

Columbia River Crossing Oversight Subcommittee
ESSB 5024, Sec 204(3) directs the Joint Transportation Committee to continue the CRC Oversight Subcommittee in the 2013 interim, in order to educate legislators and others about Columbia River Crossing project, and to improve the flow of information between WSDOT and the legislative branch. The primary purposes of the Oversight Subcommittee are education and oversight.  The Subcommittee is directed to review project and financing information, and to coordinate with the Oregon CRC Oversight Committee.

Composition of the Subcommittee is similar to the 2012 Subcommittee -- at least six members, as follows: 

  • Two legislators appointed by the Senate Transportation Committee co-chairs
  • Two legislators appointed by the House Transportation Committee chair and ranking member
  • At least two of the legislators must be from legislative districts served by the bridge
  • One member appointed by the Governor
  • A citizen who lives in the area served by the bridge, appointed jointly by the four JTC members

The Washington Oversight Subcommittee will coordinate with the Oregon CRC Oversight Committee, or the Oregon House and Senate Transportation Committees, if the Oregon Oversight Committee is not reconstituted.

Budget: Existing funds
JTC Staff: Mary Fleckenstein, lead; Beth Redfield, back-up
HTC & STC Staff: David Munnecke, Alyssa Ball, Amy Skei, Kim Johnson and Clint McCarthy

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Refinance Opportunities
ESSB 5024, Sec 204(4) directs the JTC to convene a work group to identify and evaluate internal refinance opportunities for the Tacoma Narrows bridge.   Members of the workgroup include staff from the Office of Financial Management, the Transportation Commission, WSDOT, the State Treasurer’s office, and the House and Senate Transportation Committees.   A report of findings is due in December.

Report due date: December, 2013
Budget: Existing funds
JTC Staff: Mary Fleckenstein, lead; Beth Redfield, back-up
HTC & STC Staff: Mark Matteson, Alyssa Ball and Clint McCarthy

View study materials and information      

Surplus Property/Facility Replacements
ESSB 5024, Sec 204(5) directs JTC to study and review the use of surplus property proceeds to fund facility replacement projects, and the possibility of using WSDOT’s north central region as a pilot region.  JTC will consult with WSDOT and OFM regarding WSDOT’s current process for prioritizing and funding facility replacement and improvement projects.

Budget: Existing funds
JTC Staff: Gene Baxstrom, lead; Mary Fleckenstein, back-up
HTC & STC Staff: Jerry Long, Amy Skei and Hayley Gamble

Freight Tour
In conjunction with the June 27th JTC meeting in Kennewick at the Association of Washington Cities Annual Meeting, the JTC will host a freight-focused bus tour on Friday, June 28th.  In the afternoon of the 27th, JTC members will hear presentations by various freight interests including the following:

·         Regional Freight Panels. Two panels will describe freight movements generally in the greater Tri-Cities/SE Washington region

o   Private Sector Panel:  Companies and growers will describe how they move their freight and how the transportation system serves their needs or presents challenges. The Benton-Franklin-Walla Walla RTPO will address freight priorities in the region.

o   BNSF -- Representatives from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) will discuss freight movements from a broader, statewide perspective, with a specific focus on commodity trains and other movements that are driving growth in traffic.  The primary focus will be on impacts to the transportation system.

·         Cities and Local Freight Impacts.  A panel of cities will discuss impacts of increased train traffic and other freight issues on their local transportation infrastructure, and the operation of their cities.


The Friday tour will begin at 8:30 AM in Kennewick, aboard a chartered bus for a tour of freight projects in the Tri-Cities area.  On-board presentations will be made by several individuals, including representatives from local governments, the RTPO, WSDOT, freight interests, and others.   The tour will include lunch at the Port of Pasco, and an on-the-ground tour of the BNSF “hump yard”.  It is anticipated to end by 2:45 in Kennewick.

Budget: Existing funds
JTC Staff: Beth Redfield, lead; all JTC staff as back-up