PULLMAN, Wash. — Results of a six-year Washington State University study of transportation issues facing Washington and a discussion of legislative direction for transportation funding will be the focus of the Eastern Washington Intermodal Transportation Study Forum, Wednesday, May 13, in the Wallenstein Theater at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake.
Invited speakers include Gov. Gary Locke; Ambassador Thomas Foley; Rep. Karen Schmidt, chair of the state House Legislative Transportation Committee; and Sen. Gene Prince, chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee.
County and city officials and representatives of businesses, ports, transportation modes and development organizations are expected to be present and participate in panel discussions. The forum will get underway at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m.
EWITS has produced analyses of various transportation issues facing Eastern Washington, including future commodity and passenger transportation needs; railroad and water traffic patterns; and potential impacts resulting from river drawdowns, according to Ken Casavant, WSU agricultural economist and project director. The study also has generated data for future local, state and regional transportation planning efforts. The research has been funded by the federal government and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
There is no registration fee but advance registration is requested so meals and seating can be planned. Reservations will be accepted by phone or e-mail through Tuesday, May 5. By phone, contact Casavant at (509) 335-1608 or Nancy Lee or Richard Edwards at (509) 335-1708. Messages can be left at that number. Casavanat’s e-mail address is casavantk@wsu.edu; Lee’s is nlee@wsu.edu.
The forum is sponsored by the Washington State Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Washington State University.
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