Services Transportation

Transportation planning is an important function of the Council. Through long-range planning efforts, millions of dollars in project funding have been directed into our communities.

Grays Harbor Council of Governments carries out a wide array of responsibilities in its role as part of the SW Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Those functions help to ensure a comprehensive, coordinated, and continuing approach to transportation planning across Grays Harbor and with adjacent regions. Transportation coordination administered by GHCOG include: State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Surface Transportation Program (STP), transit planning, regional mobility, freight, rail, and with adjacent regions and ensure that all state and federal planning requirements have been met. Transportation planning, coordination and funding administered by GHCOG includes:

• Surface Transportation Program

GHCOG is the funding authority for the Grays Harbor County Region Surface Transportation Program (STP), serves as the Policy Board and retains decision making authority on the distribution of STP funds. STP dollars are used to fund transportation related projects that support regional goals and meet the pre-established program criteria. In 2007 GHCOG funded $3.2 million in projects.

The Grays Harbor Council of Governments is issuing a call for projects under the Surface Transportation Program. The submittal deadline is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2008. Please click on the Surface Transportation Program link above for more detailed program information.

• Transportation Improvement Plans (TIP)

Local, regional, and state transportation plans. GHCOG maintains a database of individual TIPs for each city, Grays Harbor County, the Port of Grays Harbor, Grays Harbor Transit Authority and the Quinault Nation.

GHCOG provides technical assistance and training on TIP requirements and development, processes all amendments and forwards data to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). In order to maintain funding eligibility transportation projects must be included in local, regional and state TIP’s.

• Regional Transportation Plan (Grays Harbor Segment)

Required by the Federal Highway Administration and WSDOT, this five-county plan maintains transportation funding eligibility on a regional basis. The plan identifies regional goals, priorities, and project specific short-term and long range projects.

• Washington Transportation Plan (Grays Harbor Segment)

Required by the Federal Highway Administration, this document governs the federal level of investment in Washington State systems. (i.e. surface transportation, rail, freight, etc.) GHCOG maintains responsibility to ensure essential local facilities are identified in order to maintain future funding eligibility.

• Unified Planning Work Program (Grays Harbor Segment)

An annual requirement of the Federal Highway Administration and WSDOT, this plan outlines the transportation planning scope of work for GHCOG, SW Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization and WSDOT to ensure planning needs are being met without duplication of effort. The plan serves as a means of fiscal constraint and maintains funding eligibility for long range transportation planning and system improvements.

• Grays Harbor Transit Authority Transit Development Plan

An annual requirement of the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Authority. The Transit Development Plan (TDP) projects planning needs over six years and includes, inventory, replacement schedules, service objectives and operating data. The TDP functions as an internal planning tool to develop fiscal constraints and allows the agency to apply for state and federal funding.

• Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan

This plan coordinates public and private sector agencies that provide transportation services for special needs, seniors and low income citizens. The plan identifies unmet needs and addresses strategies to meet those needs. This plan ensures eligibility for WSDOT Consolidated Transit Grant funding.

• Other Planning Efforts

GHCOG also participates in the following transportation planning efforts at the local, state and federal level:

• Local Development Plans and Traffic Studies
• US 101 Regional Circulation Study
• SR 109 Corridor Management Plan
• Port Industrial Road Strategic Analysis
• Safe Routes to Schools
• Non-motorized access to state and regional facilities
• Sidewalk and pathway planning and development
• Shortline and regional rail planning and development
• Aviation planning
• Freight planning

Vehicular Transportation internet resources
Highways & Local Programs - WSDOT Highways & Local Programs web page.
TIB - Washington State Transportation Improvement Board.
WSDOT - Washington State Department of Transpiration home page.
Federal Highway Administration Functional Classification Maps

Multimodal Transportation internet resources
Bicycling in Washington - WSDOT bicycle trail & route maps, safety tips, and grant opportunities.
Walking in Washington - WSDOT walking & hiking trail maps, safety tips, and grant opportunities.
Feet First - Building walkable communities.