Transportation Commission meeting spotlights highways of the future and tolling plans

(OLYMPIA)– Highway safety, preservation and innovation will be a focus of the Washington State Transportation Commission’s October meeting. The commission will also discuss tolling initiatives underway, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, on Zoom. Registration for the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions is available on the commission’s website. The meeting will also be streamed live on TVW.

Virtual public comment is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday. Written comments can be submitted via email to transc@wstc.wa.gov.

Topics to be covered include:

- Re-imagining highways: Commissioners will hear from The Ray, a nonprofit organization working to leverage highways and their right of ways for clean power generation, new technology and habitat preservation.

- Habitats and highway connectivity: Representatives from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Transportation will discuss their partnership on a statewide plan that addresses safer ways for wildlife to navigate highways via over- and underpasses and aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.

- Maintenance and preservation backlog: WSDOT representatives will give an update on maintenance and preservation needs for state highways and bridges.

- Low-income tolling program: Progress on implementing a low-income toll discount program to qualifying drivers on new tolling facilities beginning in 2026 will be shared.

- Addressing World Cup transportation impacts: Work is underway to assess the potential impacts increased traffic will have on the State Route 99 tunnel and surrounding area during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and if a temporary toll increase could help manage demand in the tunnel.

Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout the state. To find the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot, visit https://www.commerce.wa.gov/wsbo/drive-in-wifi-hotspots/.

For more information about the commission and a complete meeting agenda, visit the commission’s website, wstc.wa.gov.