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4.1 INTRODUCTION The 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. 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 • Efficient and Accommodates Growth, but Respects Rural Character • Complete, Multimodal, and Accommodates Outdoor Recreation • Leveraged by Active Partnerships • Sustainably Funded and Maintains What We Have The project list included in the Transportation Element includes a total of $127.4 million in potential projects for the 20-year planning horizon. Of this, roughly a third ($36.9 million) is allocated for capacity enhancements, including roadway improvement and expansion, bikeways, and trails and over $90 million is allocated to projects that maintain roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure. With projected revenues and expenditures for the 20-year planning horizon, the County will have a projected financial shortfall of $91 million. To bridge this gap, a variety of funding strategies are discussed. While this Transportation Element plans for long-term growth over a 20-year period, it is recommended that it be updated every five to ten years in light of new policy changes or development that can affect the transportation system. To serve as a useful document for the community, including both County staff and the general public, this Transportation Element focuses on the County's vision and the projects and programs intended to meet that vision. 4.2 TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OVERVIEW Kittitas County possesses a rich and diverse mix of land uses and destinations that require a specialized transportation plan to ensure efficient mobility and accessibility throughout the County. The transportation network accommodates many modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, public transit, and driving. Vehicular travel is still the primary mode for most travelers in and around the County. Rural roads and highways form the foundation of the transportation framework with roadways connecting the many communities in Kittitas County. Additionally, transit is available within the city of Ellensburg. The Page 39 KITTITAS COUNTY ~ -------------------Comp I eh ens iv e Plan [i]