The Board of County Commissioners is calling for a vote on funding for light rail in Vancouver in the November 2011 general election.
In a resolution approved by all three commissioners on Aug. 3, the Board asked C-TRAN, the Vancouver-based public transportation district, to separate light rail funding from other long-term transit funding headed for a vote in Clark County.
The commissioners' resolution read that "a clear vote on light rail" was necessary to reduce confusion about public transportation planning and improvements, including proposals to enhance bus and van services provided by C-TRAN.
"On numerous occasions, we have said there must be a public vote on light rail," said C-TRAN Board Chair Steve Stuart. "We need a clear vote that separates the issue of light rail from funding needed to continue core services."
The resolution must be considered by the full C-TRAN Board of Directors, which includes the three county commissioners and six other local elected officials.
Light rail from Portland's Expo Center to Clark College in Vancouver is part of the proposed Columbia River Crossing, including a new Interstate 5 bridge and related improvements on both sides of the river.
To receive federal funding for light rail construction, the project must demonstrate that C-TRAN can pay to operate and maintain the light rail extension in Vancouver without reducing existing bus service.
As proposed, the light rail project involves extending the MAX Yellow Line from Expo Center station to Clark College's main campus in Vancouver.
On Aug. 9, members of the CRC Project Sponsors Council met to review and finalize recommendations on crucial design elements including the Hayden Island Interchange, alternate lane configuration and performance measures.
The Project Sponsors Council, which includes C-TRAN Board of Directors member and Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, Vancouver City Councilmember Jeanne Harris and Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart, also reviewed recently-released recommendations from the CRC Independent Panel.
Convened by Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, the panel of transportation experts wrapped up deliberations last month, releasing a report calling for the project to move forward as soon as possible.
If the November 2011 vote to approve light rail goes forward, it could provide the last piece in a decade-long planning process to replace the aging Interstate Bridge. According to the CRC, final design of the replacement bridge is expected sometime in 2011, with construction beginning in 2012.
