ResolutiontoAdopt20YearTransportationPlan

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Kittitas County Transportation Element 2018 Kittitas County is an area rich in history and a premier destination for outdoor adventure. It is home to the five cities of Ellensburg, Cie Elum, South Cie Elum, Roslyn, and Kittitas, each with their own amenities and charm. This Transportation Element aims to provide a 20 - year vision for the County's transportation system, which respects the character of each of its regions, supports anticipated growth, and builds on Kittitas County's development as an attractive place to live, work, and play by supporting safe and comfortable travel by all modes through 2038. 1.3. PURPOSE The overall vision for Kittitas County's Transportation Element is to provide a safe, balanced, and efficient multi -modal transportation system that serves anticipated local and regional growth. Guidance from County staff and the Policy Working Group helped identify five goals, which serve as the foundation for this element: • Safe — Create a transportation network that can be shared safely by all users and provides sufficient access for emergency response and designated evacuation routes. Efficient and Accommodates Growth, but Respects Rural Character — Provide a transportation system that works hand-in- hand with existing and planned land uses, supports farm -to -market and recreational tourism needs, but respects the rural character and wildlife that residents cherish. • Complete, Multimodal, and Accommodates Outdoor Recreation — Fill gaps in the system to accommodate safe and enjoyable travel by those choosing to walk, bike, or use transit, including recreational users. • Leveraged by Active Partnerships — Coordinate with a broad range of groups (including local, state, and regional agencies, airports, businesses, and the public) to develop and operate the transportation system. Sustainably Funded and Maintains What We Have — Plan for a financially -viable system that considers the full lifecycle costs of infrastructure and leverages outside funds, while maintaining existing transportation facilities in a state -of -good - repair to ensure their continued function. The Transportation Element sets a framework for creating a transportation network that will help Kittitas County achieve its vision. 1.2 PLANNING CONTEXT Kittitas County's geography plays a role in the demands put on its transportation system. The County is located in central Washington, with major highway connections, railroad lines, and river crossings. Kittitas County is bisected by 1-90, which also connects to 1-82 and US 97. These are important connections for freight and passenger travel across the state as well as into Oregon, Idaho, and Canada. Travelers from all regions come to Kittitas County looking for a variety of activities, including patronizing the highway -oriented services for a quick stop or visiting the lakes and mountains for recreation. These routes also serve the Yakima Training Center operated by the US Army. 1-90 is a major freight corridor for trucks and the parallel privately owned Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) rail corridor moves more than five million tons of goods each year. This is an important aspect of Kittitas County's economic vitality, but also poses transportation challenges. The County must coordinate its transportation planning with a variety of jurisdictions and agencies, including the city governments, QUADCO Regional Planning Organization, US Forest Service, FHWA, US Army, and the State of Washington. Figure i shows the location of Kittitas County in this regional setting. age