Spokane Regional Transportation Council

Spokane Regional Transportation Council
Ian Sane · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Spokane Regional Transportation Council
Type	Metropolitan planning organization
Founded	1966
Headquarters	Spokane, Washington
Region served	Spokane County, Stevens County, Whitman County (partial)

Spokane Regional Transportation Council is the metropolitan planning organization serving the Spokane, Washington, metropolitan area. It coordinates transportation planning among local jurisdictions, transit agencies, tribal governments, and state and federal partners to implement regional multimodal strategies. The council aligns long-range planning with funding priorities, capital projects, and compliance with federal and state transportation statutes.

History

The council traces roots to mid-20th century regional planning efforts involving the City of Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, and the Washington State Department of Transportation; federal mandates such as the Interstate Highway System expansions and the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1962 shaped early activities. In the 1970s and 1980s the agency interacted with entities including the United States Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency (United States), and regional transit operators like Spokane Transit Authority, reflecting influences from nationwide metropolitan planning guidance such as the Clean Air Act conformity requirements. During the 1990s and 2000s the organization responded to changing funding structures under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century and Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users while coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions including Kootenai County, Idaho, Whitman County, Washington, and tribal governments such as the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Recent decades saw adaptation to federal surface transportation reauthorizations like the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and collaboration with agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.

Organization and Governance

The council’s governance structure includes a board comprised of elected officials and representatives from municipalities like the City of Spokane Valley, City of Liberty Lake, and rural jurisdictions including Spokane Valley Rural

and counties including Stevens County, Washington, with advisory input from agency partners such as Spokane Transit Authority and the Washington State Legislature-appointed bodies. The board interacts with technical advisory committees featuring planners and engineers from entities including the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the Eastern Washington University, and local public works departments. Intergovernmental coordination involves collaboration with tribal nations including the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe as well as federal partners like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on land use and United States Environmental Protection Agency-related planning. Executive staff manage daily operations, work programs, and compliance with statutes promulgated by bodies such as the United States Congress and state agencies including the Washington State Auditor.

Planning and Programs

Regional planning activities produce documents such as a long-range transportation plan, regional transportation improvement program, and performance-based planning frameworks influenced by guidance from the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. Programs emphasize coordination with transit providers like Spokane Transit Authority, freight stakeholders including the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and aeronautical partners at Spokane International Airport. The council integrates multimodal priorities that reflect federal initiatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation and state policy from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Planning efforts address air quality conformity under the Clean Air Act and align with regional economic development entities such as the Spokane Regional Economic Development Council and land use initiatives connected to institutions like Spokane County Regional Health District and Gonzaga University campus planning.

Projects and Initiatives

Project oversight has included arterial corridor improvements, transit facility planning, bicycle and pedestrian network design, and freight mobility projects in coordination with partners such as the City of Spokane Public Works Department, Spokane Transit Authority, and railroads like Union Pacific Railroad. Notable initiatives have interfaced with federal programs such as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and grant opportunities administered by the Federal Transit Administration. The council has coordinated multimodal pilot projects, safety programs linked to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guidance, and resilience planning informed by work from entities such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on floodplain considerations for the Spokane River. Coordination with regional institutions such as Spokane International Airport and freight stakeholders like Port of Wilma-adjacent operations supports goods movement strategies.

Funding and Budget

Funding derives from federal allocations via the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, state funding from the Washington State Legislature and Washington State Department of Transportation, and local contributions from counties and cities including Spokane County, Washington and the City of Spokane Valley. The council programs federal grants including apportioned funds under acts such as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and discretionary grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Budget priorities balance capital investment with planning grants and match requirements involving partners like Spokane Transit Authority, regional ports such as the Port of Whitman County, and economic development agencies including the Spokane Area Economic Development Council.

Public Engagement and Partnerships

Public engagement processes involve outreach to stakeholders including neighborhood associations in the North Hill (Spokane neighborhood), business groups like the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, tribal governments such as the Spokane Tribe of Indians, educational institutions including Whitworth University and Eastern Washington University, and nonprofit organizations such as the Spokane Conservation District. Partnerships extend to federal agencies including the Federal Transit Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (United States), regional transit authorities like Spokane Transit Authority, and municipal partners across Spokane County and adjoining counties. Engagement tools have included public hearings, advisory committees, and collaborative workshops with entities such as the Spokane Valley Fire Department and county planning commissions to prioritize projects and incorporate community input.

Category:Transportation in Spokane County, Washington Category:Metropolitan planning organizations in Washington (state)