by Richard Uhlhorn
Chelan hosted the Washington State Transportation Commission on Wednesday and Thursday, July 24 and 25. The commission is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor for up to two 6-year terms. Each commissioner represents a different part of the state and provides an open public forum for transportation policy development.
Every four years, the commission recommends a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan which also addresses regional and local needs to the legislature.
This visit to Chelan is a part of the commission’s public involvement and outreach which focuses on local and regional transportation issues and challenges.
Prior to Wednesday’s afternoon meeting the commission and staff were given a tour of the Lake Chelan Valley, most notably between Manson and Chelan.
Debbie Young, the commission’s chair, said the group had a great tour of the area that morning.
Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle welcomed the commission to Chelan and gave an overview of presentation of the valley comprising of Chelan, Manson, the south shore and Stehekin. She explained that summer was the most popular time in the valley. “We have a rural sense of community,” said McCardle. “We are trying to preserve that.”
McCardle went on to explain that Chelan was no longer a secret. “During COVID, Lake Chelan became everyone’s destination. Chelan and Manson had 660,000 visitors.”
She told the commission that Chelan had the confluence of two State highways, both of which go by two schools. She also explained that there was only one way in and one way out of Manson with all that traffic going through Chelan.
Funding crisis:
McCardle talked about Chelan’s transportation funding crisis. Seventy five percent of property taxes go the Chelan’s public work department for infrastructure maintenance. “The one percent tax increase we see every year does not keep up with inflation.”
Because of that, Chelan is asking its residents to vote in a .03 percent addition to the local sales tax through a Tax Benefit District (TBD). “The TBD will open up opportunities for a new revenue source supported by 75% of the visitors to Chelan.”
Reema Griffith, executive director of the commission, asked McCardle how much money the TBD would raise. McCardle replied that it would raise approximately $900,000 every year which could be used to leverage for grants and bonds.
Chelan County Commissioner Tiffany Gearing:
Gearing explained that Chelan County has many of the same concerns and issues that Chelan has. “We represent a number of small communities like Manson, Entiat, Cashmere and Leavenworth.”
She explained that the County has a public works department that has only 85 employees to serve 80,000 residents and maintains 50 miles of rural roads and 500 miles of paved roads, all of which are in poor condition and need a complete rebuild. “It is a major challenge of doing more with less.”
The biggest challenge is competing with larger cities. Gearing mentioned the County’s Totem Pole Road project in Manson. “We have $2 million for this project and need $5 million. The project is a work in progress.”
Paula Reeves, the senior policy analysist, replied that the current transportation plan is being updated. “There are a lot of changes since the last update in 2018,” said Reeves. In particular she mentioned the state’s unprecedented growth.
“Individual requests that come to the commission are challenging,” she added. The commission is working with both Oregon and California on transportation issues.
Road Usage Charging:
The commission is researching a change from the current gas tax to a vehicle mileage charge. Reema Griffith stated that there is a bit of a conflict with the idea. “It is difficult to address with fossil fuels and fuel efficiency.”
The state relies on its gas tax to fund road and highway maintenance and construction. Fuel efficient vehicles have lowered the amount of money the state is receiving and the commission is assessing a Road Usage Charge as a replacement to the gas tax.
Toll system:
The commission also adopts tolls for all state toll facilities including ST-5200 Bridge, SR-16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, SR-167 high occupancy toll, Interstate 405 express toll lanes and the SR 99 tunnel.
They are currently looking at expanding the toll system.
The commission also studies the Ferry System which had 23 million passengers last year which brought in $75 million.
Chelan/Douglas Transportation Council:
A representative from the council, told the commission that the council had 10 governing board members representing urban/rural communities and the Colville Confederated Tribes. The council has 125,000 miles of roads in Chelan and Douglas Counties most of which is agricultural based. “It is becoming less and less ag based because of rising costs.” He added that this is causing an ag related conversion to other uses.
Tourism is becoming a driving economic force in the two counties. He also mentioned Microsoft’s server farm projects.
“A lot of developable land is already developed and there are (looming) water issues.”
Public transit and freight mobility add to the transportation issues.
Apple Capital Loop:
Wenatchee’s City Administrator Laura Gloria presented Wenatchee’s $157 million Apple Capital Loop project to the Council. “Wenatchee is kind of an island,” said Gloria. She explained that the city is bordered by mountains on the west and the river on the east.
“We serve Leavenworth, Chelan and other outlying areas.
The 11 mile loop project will reduce the current traffic congestion problems which is currently serving 100,000 vehicles each day.
“We are so excited to start next year. It is a once in a lifetime project for the City of Wenatchee.”
Chelan transportation issues:
Travis Denham, Chelan city engineer, talked about the emerging transportation issues in the community. “Everyone going to Manson uses our roads. It’s a challenger to not accommodate our tourism economy,” he said.
“We don’t have a robust viable funding source and how we fund capital projects is a funding challenge.”
He reported on new projects on the books like the Lakeside Trail from Chelan to Lakside Park that is being funded by the Washington State DOT which will begin its construction phase next spring. In addition, Chelan is working on opening up pocket parks for better access to the lake for the public. It is a recreational project that everyone is excited about.”
Mayor McCardle answered a question about Chelan partnerships. McCardle stated that four councilmen and her had a conversation with the Colville Confederated Tribes. “It was a great first step,” she said. “We are starting to develop that relationship. With a large (planned) project in Manson, we definitely need a stronger partnership that needs to be built now.”
The Eastside water and reservoir project was also brought up.
Chelan County:
Josh Patrick, assistant director at Chelan County Public Works, reported on the county’s transportation issues.
“Our county roads are narrow and not in good condition,” said Patrick. He described the need to turn Manson’s Botzke Avenue into its truck route instead of having trucks driving through downtown Manson.
“We have 100 miles of road to maintain (in Manson). Our responsibilities is more than the downtown area.”
“Manson is unincorporated which makes it tough to compete for funds.” The county lost a $1 million grant from Ecology for stormwater work (on Totem Pole Rd.). “It just went away. We are doing Phase 1 and looking for funds to do the upper half.
Patrick stated that emergency evacuation is on the County’s mind. Manson currently has one way in and one way out.
Debbie Young remarked that widening the lanes on the highway were pretty constraining. “Do you >
Regional overview:
Chris Keifenheim, the regional administrator of the North Central Region of DOT, told the commission that the region employs 270 and operates from Canada to south of I-90. “We serve nine counties and 13,000 sq. miles. We have seven mountain passes to maintain.”
“Funding is a huge challenge. Cost of materials have increased. Our dollar is not going as far as used to.” He said the region over spent their budget by $11 million last year. “We need to be back on budget by the end of the end biannual budget.
Link update:
Nick Covey, CEO of Link Transit, said the system has added a new 43,000 sq. ft. bus garage and is running 23 electric vehicles. “We will be adding nine more in 2025 and five more in 2026,” said Covey.
The system includes inground wireless battery charging units.
Link is working on a Manson park and ride facility at Leffler Field. In Chelan they are developing bus stops at the Hospital, Walmart and Chelan Airport.
The commission reconvened on Thursday and heard presentations by:
- Chelan and Douglas County public works directors on their transportation needs;
- The Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority updates;
- An Economic Development presentation for the region; and a
- Tribal Transportation Overview.
The commission’s next meeting will take place on September 11, 2024.
All Things Lake Chelan 