2019 Comprehensive Plan_Final - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 52 along seven miles of I-90 and are projected to be finished in 2019. Completion of this roadway is expected to improve safety and mobility within Kittitas County. U.S. Forest Service The USFS owns and maintains roads throughout Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, which covers a large portion of Kittitas County. Maintenance and repairs are necessary to provide access to popular recreation destinations. Collaboration with the USFS is necessary to ensure these facilities are maintained and accessible to Kittitas County residents and visitors. Federal Highway Administration The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) partners with local agencies to oversee maintenance, capital projects, and preservation of the country’s roads and bridges. It regulates road operations, provides research and guidance on transportation best practices, and is a potential source of funds for improvement projects throughout the County. FUNDING STRATEGIES This Transportation Element considers Kittitas County’s funding picture over the next 20 years and provides strategies to support implementation. Based on historical revenues, the County will generate an estimated $207 million over the 20-year planning horizon, with $130 million available for operations and $77 million restricted for capital expenses. With a projected $171 million in operational expenses, the County faces a $41 million deficit in operating revenues. The $77 million in revenue for capital expenses is not sufficient to complete the $127 million of projects on the County’s prioritized project list. The County faces an additional $50 million deficit in revenues for capital projects. Together, the County faces a $91 million deficit in operating and capital costs. Detailed revenue and expenditure calculations can be found in the 2018-2038 Kittitas County Long Range Transportation Plan. Any funding strategy must balance stated goals against developing sustainable revenue sources that are feasible for the County to implement. Historically, the County’s transportation program has been operating at capacity. During the last few years, transportation revenues have dropped below operating expenditures. At the same time, the County has been accumulating a growing list of capital projects that are critically needed to provide safe roads, highways, bridges, and infrastructure. In addition, the County had been growing at a steady rate and this growth is expected to continue. Looking into the future, Kittitas County faces a fundamental, structural challenge—and this larger systemic issue must be considered as part of a long-term transportation funding strategy. Balancing Financial Capacity With Future Funding Needs When comparing total available revenues for transportation with expected costs over the 20-year planning horizon, revenues fall short of paying for the current estimated operating and capital costs.