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t L'SC 0,u[5 . To THE r <br />Kittitas County, Washington <br />k�a BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />District One District Two District Three <br />h rrir re <br />Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith <br />May 11, 2026 <br />Boards of County Commissioners <br />Adams County Grant County Lincoln County <br />210 W Broadway Ave 35 C Street NW 450 Logan Street <br />Ritzville, WA 99169 Ephrata, WA 98823 Davenport, WA 99122 <br />RE: Regional Transportation Planning Capacity and QUADCO Administrative Structure <br />Dear Commissioners, <br />The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners writes to invite a broader regional discussion <br />regarding the future administrative structure and organizational capacity of the QUAD -COUNTY <br />Regional Transportation Planning Organization (QUADCO). <br />As transportation funding at both the State and Federal level becomes increasingly competitive, <br />technical, and strategically driven, Regional Transportation Planning Organizations must be <br />positioned to effectively identify opportunities, develop competitive projects, and coordinate <br />regional priorities. Recent observations by members of our Board through engagement with <br />statewide transportation funding and freight mobility processes have raised concerns that <br />QUADCO may not currently be operating at the level necessary to maximize these opportunities <br />for our region. <br />This concern is particularly important given the significance of our region to Washington's freight <br />and transportation system. QUADCO member counties encompass a substantial portion of the <br />state's only east -west T-1 freight corridor, making regional coordination and project <br />competitiveness critically important not only for our local communities, but for statewide economic <br />mobility. <br />In discussions with Washington State Department of Transportation staff and through review of <br />recent transportation funding awards, it has become increasingly evident that Regions with <br />dedicated planning and grant development capacity are often more successful in securing external <br />transportation investments. By contrast, regional organizations relying primarily on rotating <br />administrative responsibilities among member agencies may face structural limitations in sustaining <br />long-term project development and competitive grant readiness. <br />Kittitas County Courthouse 205 West 5'bAvenue, STE 108 - Ellensburg, WA 98926 <br />(509) 962-7508 'FAX (509) 962-7679 <br />