Press Release

Vancouver, WA – The Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC) will host an open house for community members to learn about and give input on the draft Washington Transportation Plan – 2040 and Beyond, released by the Washington State Transportation Commission and available now for public comment. Public input on the plan is critical to help enhance how local and regional challenges are addressed, from city streets and sidewalks to air, rail, and water transportation.

The open house is on Monday, September 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, in the Columbia Room at the Vancouver Community Library at 901 C St, Vancouver, WA 98660. For questions about the open house, please call RTC at 564-397-6067.

Meetings are being held around the state to discuss the WTP 2040 and Beyond draft plan. The Vancouver meeting is a chance to talk with Washington State Transportation Commissioners, Commission staff, as well as regional and local staff about transportation issues and recommendations under consideration, particularly those with relevance to residents and businesses in this region. Participating agencies at the September 10 open house will include WSDOT SW Region, C-TRAN, RTC, Clark County, the cities of Vancouver and Battle Ground and the Human Services Council.

The state’s Transportation Commission must adopt an updated plan and present it to the State Legislature and Governor Inslee by January 2019. Transportation Commission Chair Jerry Litt said a refresh of the state’s long-term transportation plan is a chance to take stock of what has changed since it was last updated in 2015 and what new needs have emerged. “The pace of change, especially in transportation technologies, is picking up. It’s important to regularly look at emerging issues to be sure we’re on the right track.”

Emerging technology is one of three big uncertainties the commission highlights in the draft WTP 2040 and Beyond. The other two are: system resiliency in light of extreme weather events and natural disasters like earthquakes and fires, and how to pay for the transportation system long-term.

If you are unable to attend the open house, the draft plan is available online at: WTP2040andBeyond.com. If you’d like a hardcopy of the draft plan you can request it by calling 360-705-7070. Comments, due by September 20, 2018, can be submitted on the website or by email to: Comments@WTP2040andBeyond.com or mailed to the Transportation Commission at PO Box 47308, Olympia, WA, 98502-7308.

For special accommodations or translation services, call 564-390-6067, TTY 711, or email info@rtc.wa.gov three business days in advance. RTC assures nondiscrimination in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Washington State discrimination laws in RCW 49.60, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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