News Release
Release date: Nov. 8, 2001
 Residents invited to help shape vital transportation improvements in south-central King County
With
an estimated 5.5 million additional vehicle trips projected for already
congested roads in south King County over the next 20 years, residents will soon
have an opportunity to tell transportation agencies what they think should be
done to provide traffic relief in the area. That community input will help King
County and the cities of Renton, Tukwila, Kent and SeaTac finalize a
first-of-its-kind action plan designed to reduce congestion while preserving the
area's economy and quality of life.
By
attending one of two open houses on Nov. 14 and 15, residents living in
south-central King County will help shape the outcome of the "TransValley Area
Study." By early next year, the study will provide specific recommendations
for improving roads, bus service, bicycle and pedestrian routes and the movement
of freight that supports the area's economy. Some of the region's most vital
industrial and manufacturing production areas are located in south-central King
County.
"The
importance of the TransValley Area Study should not be underestimated -- this
effort will allow the partner agencies to agree upfront about the types of
improvements needed in the area, so they can be implemented as soon as
possible," King County Executive Ron Sims said.
"This
multi-agency coordination will enable us to move more quickly to deliver
improvements that are essential to preserving jobs and our economy," said
Sims. "This partnership also means we will be far more competitive in
receiving limited state congestion relief funds given only to those regions that
can show they are working together to improve transportation."
The
TransValley Area Study was among the first coordinated efforts to receive grant
funding under the state's new Arterial Congestion Relief Program.
The
TransValley Area Study focuses on transportation corridor improvements that will
be needed over the next 20 years in the area that is bounded by Grady Way and
State Route 169 (Maple Valley Road) in Renton, South 212th Street in Kent,
International Boulevard in SeaTac and the Fairwood/Lake Youngs areas to the
east. Additional considerations will include projects already on the drawing
board, and the range of transportation improvements that will support a variety
of travel choices, safety and economic development.
During
the open house meetings, residents will learn more about the most congested
corridors in the study, areas targeted for potential improvements and key
economic development corridors that need to be preserved. The open houses will
be held:
Wednesday, Nov. 14 Thursday, Nov. 15
5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Valley Medical Center Tyee Senior High School
Medical Arts Building, Room A Cafeteria
4033 Talbot Road S., Renton 4424 S. 188th St., SeaTac
Comments gathered at the open house meetings will be instrumental in helping the TransValley partners develop specific recommendations that will reduce
congestion on key arterials, along with other identified improvements.
The
TransValley Area Study is expected to produce a series of recommendations for
consideration in early 2002. Following endorsement of the recommendations by the
partners, projects and improvements will be phased in beginning as early as
2003. Regional consensus on the package of improvements is also expected to help
the area more successfully compete for funding to improve important arterial
corridors in south-central King County.
In
addition to participation by the county and the cities, the Washington State
Department of Transportation, Puget Sound Regional Council and the Port of
Seattle are also contributing to the development of this plan.
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