The Washington State Transportation Commission provides a public forum for policy development.
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is a seven-member body of citizens appointed by the Governor for up to two six-year terms. The WSDOT Secretary and a representative from the Governor’s Office serve as ex officio members.
As the body directed in law to author the state’s 20-year transportation policy plan, the Commission serves in a unique role as a convening entity addressing varied priorities from an independent and objective perspective.
Per RCW 47.01.071, the Washington State Transportation Commission must ensure the policy plan (WTP) is a comprehensive, balanced plan addressing local, regional, and state transportation needs submitted to the governor and legislature every four years. The update process serves as a strategic evaluation process of existing policies, emerging transportation trends and incorporating innovate practices in order to set forth a blue print for the next 20 years.
The statewide policy plan must, at a minimum:
- A. Establish a vision for the statewide transportation system.
- B. Identify significant statewide transportation policy issues.
- C. Recommend statewide transportation policies and strategies to the legislature
The Transportation Commission's Role
In addition to authoring the state’s 20-year transportation policy plan (WTP), the Commission serves several other vital functions including:
- Setting toll rates & policies, and ferry fares & policies
- Administers the Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey panel made up of over 30,000 ferry riders, and conducts surveys each year
- Issues policy and fiscal guidance to the Governor and Legislature, based upon public input gathered through the year
- Conducts public outreach and education, holding local meetings throughout the state and ensuring all of its meetings are open to the public and accessible
- Reviews and approve proposed jurisdictional transfers of roadways, subject to enactment by the Legislature
- Names state highways, bridges, and ferries
