Transportation

I've written more than $250K in community Development block grants, Neighborhood Action Plan grants and matching grants for sidewalks, traffic calming, bike routes, and traffic management issues. These grants provided safe, accessible and effective travel options for our residents and businesses.

I know how important it is to plan for the future, while protecting what we have now.

Transportation Groups - Meetings that I attend on a regular basis.

Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance
Regional Transportation Council
C-TRAN

Transportation Projects that I've worked on

18th Street Project
112th Street Safety Corridor

Buses

We must keep our core bus system financially healthy and available to everyone to enhance our livability and for those who need the bus for transportation especially for work or appointments.

C-Tran buses need to continue being frequent and reliable. It's a comfortable ride that will get you where you need to go and it services dense, transit-ready neighborhoods.

A strong transit system is important not just for individuals who don't own vehicles, or the people who use the bus system. It's good for our economy because it offers transportation for those with limited resources, reduces the demand for new roadways which are very expensive to build, and it helps individuals and communities save money which can then be used elsewhere in our local community.

Buses:
can travel in severe weather,
are flexible and can alter their routes when faced with damaged roads,
have an added security and payment factor with a driver present,
are owned and operated through our locally controlled C-Tran.

Columbia River Crossing (CRC)

We've worked over 17 years on the four parts to this project. With less than 3 months left in this legislative year, we are still considering state funding. Our federal funding is not secure, either.

Part 1 - Bridge

Recommendation	I support the replacement of the current bridges. After exhausting the Federal and State funding opportunities, tolls would be used to pay off the construction portion of the bridge only. An annual review of the debt would be posted so citizens could see the funding recovery. Once the construction debt was paid off, the tolls would be removed.
Rationale	Bridge lifts delay all travel; commuter and commercial.
Concerns	Financial plan, including tolling details and their impacts. Lack of mitigation plans for impacts to the businesses and residents near the bridges
My Engagement	Served on the bi-state I-5 Trade and Transportation Task Force appointed by the Washington State Governor 2001-2002 Attended meetings of the third Task Force - CRC Participate in meetings held by the CRC to stay current with the project direction.

Part 2 - Light Rail

Recommendation	Have the citizens within the C-Tran boundaries vote on light rail. I'll support the voters' decision. The vote should clearly indicate the proposed alignment and define funding plans to include short and long term financial impacts. I would not accept tolls to pay for the maintenance and operation of light rail.
Rationale	The Vancouver City Council and the C-Tran Board have promised a vote for this project. The citizens will be paying for the operation and maintenance of light rail for as long as it's in use. We should take into consideration what the public wants.
Concerns	We need to discuss the following details in televised forums: 1. Mitigation measures for the impacted properties and individuals, 2. Cost recovery through user fees, 3. "Closed" vs. "Open" systems that require ticket turnstiles, 4. Safety enforcement.
My Engagement	Worked with Vancouver Neighborhoods to sponsor three CVTV televised community forums on the light rail issue. Attended meetings of the Vancouver Working Group Attended meetings of the CRC on light rail (open houses, workshops)

Part 3 and Part 4 - Interchanges and Widening of I-5 in Washington and Oregon

Recommendation	Show the maps and impacts of the I-5 widening on the CRC website. Each state should be financially responsible for their own design and funding mechanisms.
Rationale	The citizens need to see the entire project and the impacts to the residences and businesses in Vancouver.
Concerns	Widening I-5 requires reconstruction of the interchanges and overpasses. Impacts will include the removal of homes and the taking of parcels.
My Engagement	Attended meetings and represented Shumway Neighborhood Association Work with property and business owners, along with residents, to identify mitigation proposals. (air quality, noise, vibration, and traffic)

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