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along seven miles of 1-90 and are projected to be finished in 2019. Completion of this roadway is expected to <br />improve safety and mobility within Kittitas County. <br />4 .5.5 U.S. Forest Service <br />The USFS owns and maintains roads throughout Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, which covers a large <br />portion of Kittitas County. Maintenance and repairs are necessary to provide access to popular recreation <br />destinations. Collaboration with the USFS is necessary to ensure these facilities are maintained and <br />accessible to Kittitas County residents and visitors. <br />4 .5.6 Federal Highway Administration <br />The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) partners with local agencies to oversee maintenance, capital <br />projects, and preservation of the country's roads and bridges. It regulates road operations, provides research <br />and guidance on transportation best practices, and is a potential source of funds for improvement projects <br />throughout the County. <br />4.6 FUNDING STRATEGIES <br />This Transportation Element considers Kittitas County's funding picture over the next 20 years and provides <br />strategies to support implementation. <br />Based on historical revenues, the County will generate an estimated $207 million over the 20-year planning <br />horizon, with $ 130 million available for operations and $77 million restricted for capital expenses. With a <br />projected $ 171 million in operational expenses, the County faces a $41 million deficit in operating revenues . <br />The $77 million in revenue for capital expenses is not sufficient to complete the $ 127 million of projects on <br />the County's prioritized project list. The County faces an additional $50 million deficit in revenues for capital <br />projects. Together, the County faces a $91 million deficit in operating and capital costs. <br />Detailed revenue and expenditure calculations can be found in the 2018-2038 Kittitas County Long Range <br />Transportation Plan. <br />Any funding strategy must balance stated goals against developing sustainable revenue sources that are <br />feasible for the County to implement. Historically, the County's transportation program has been operating <br />at capacity. During the last few years, transportation revenues have dropped below operating expenditures. <br />At the same time, the County has been accumulating a growing list of capital projects that are critically <br />needed to provide safe roads, highways, bridges, and infrastructure. In addition, the County had been <br />growing at a steady rate and this growth is expected to continue. <br />Looking into the future, Kittitas County faces a fundamental, structural challenge-and this larger systemic <br />issue must be considered as part of a long-term transportation funding strategy. <br />4.6.1 Balancing Financial Capacity With Future Funding Needs <br />When comparing total available revenues for transportation with expected costs over the 20-year planning <br />horizon, revenues fall short of paying for the current estimated operating and capital costs. <br />Page 52