History and Chronology of NSCCP and related efforts:
1996: NSCCP launched.
1996-1999: Cascadia Project, Whatcom Council of Governments, Skagit Council of Governments, and Island-Skagit Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) provide in-kind support for NSCCP forums, grant writing, etc.
1999-2000: Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) and Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) contributed towards the planning and administration of the NSCCP for 1998-99. Cascadia Project (Seattle) furnished considerable in-kind services.
Cascadia, WCOG and others work to obtain a small congressional appropriation for NSCCP work which resulted in a $50,000 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant administered by SKAT to support forums, administration, SCOG research, and development of the Intermodal Information (kiosk) Project. Local matches were furnished by Snohomish County, Island County, Skagit County and the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA). The grant is administered by Skagit Transit (SKAT) and was completed in January, 2001.
2001-Present:
• NSCCP meets regularly and becomes a highly respected transportation voice in the North Sound.
• Plays a key role in preserving the 2nd Amtrak Cascades train service which had been threatened by funding cuts.
• Sponsors several workshops and meetings focused on specific transportation proposals, issues, or initiatives.
• Plays a key role in several studies and projects which include:
Intermodal Information Project--Enhancement Grant:
2001-2002: WCOG with assistance from other NSCCP partners applies for and is awarded a Statewide Competitive Enhancement Grant (Fed. "ISTEA,") for the construction and siting of Intermodal Information Kiosks and Displays in North Puget Sound in the amount of $70,000 which is matched by local pledges of from the City of Bellingham, the City of Mount Vernon and Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA), Island Transit, and Skagit Transit (SKAT), as well as pledges by owners of sites and facilities where such displays will be placed. By late 2004 kiosks or information displays had been installed at the following locations:
• Bellingham Cruise Terminal
• Fairhaven Transportation Center (Bellingham)
• Washington State Ferries Terminal, Friday Harbor
• Washington State Ferries Terminal, Keystone
• Mount Vernon Multi-Modal Station, Bus Bays
• Everett Station Ticket Information Office
• Western Washington University, Haggard Hall Bus Shelter
• Western Washington University, Viking Union Bus Stop
Plans for installing displays or kiosks are in process for the following sites:
• Washington State Ferries Terminal, Anacortes
• Washington State Ferries Terminal, Clinton
• Everett Station, main passenger waiting area
• Mount Vernon Multi-Modal Station, main waiting area his project will be completed in early 2005. The total project cost is $115,000.
Whatcom County of Governments - Kiosk Project
Map
Commuter Rail Feasibility
Study—State/WSDOT Study:
Commuter Rail Feasibility Study
The 2000 Washington State Legislature, responding to requests from NSCCP, allocated $50,000 to its WSDOT Rail and Public Transit Division for a Commuter Rail Feasibility Study for North Puget Sound. This was matched by both a cash contribution from Snohomish County and a considerable amount of in-kind services in project management and oversight provided by Public Works transportation planner John Dewhirst. The study was completed by HDR, Inc. Engineering in August of 2001.
North Sound Transportation
Governance Study:
Governance Study
The 2001 Washington State Legislature, because of the work and multi-jurisdictional nature of NSCCP, appropriated $150,000 to the WCOG to administer a study of possible regional governance needs. This amount has been matched by a considerable in-kind contribution from the Cascadia Project. The study by a team of consultants led by Gary Lawrence was completed in the Fall of 2002.
North Sound Intermodal
Connections and Commuter Study:
Intermodal Connections and Commuter Study Draft Reportss
Intercounty Transit Committee (ITC) Final Report
A federal grant in the amount of $392,000 through the USDOT Secretary's Office of Planning and Research and the Federal Transit Administration was awarded to the NSCCP in 2003. Local cash matches were also received from the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County. The grant is being administratively supervised by the Whatcom Council of Governments. Much of its work is being done under contract with the Cascadia Center in Seattle. A portion of the grant is being done under contract with Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment.
The grant was awarded with considerable assistance and support from the offices of Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Rick Larsen. The Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG) administers the grant which provides funding for comprehensive commuter research and recommendations for North Puget Sound including follow-up to the WSDOT rail study.
The major components of its scope include:
• A study of the feasibility of improving intercounty transit connections
• A study of the feasibility of passenger-only ferry services
• A study of possible passenger rail improvements
• A collaboration with Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment
Preliminary reports and
recommendations from this effort are available at:
December 9, 2004 - NSCCP Steering and General Meeting
A scope of work; including rail, ferry and transit components along with a documentary data base and WWU research was finalized for this project while work coordinating funding details with FTA was being completed.
Additional information about the NSCCP: