PORT OF SEATTLE
MEMORANDUM
COMMISSION AGENDA
Item No.
6c
Date of Meeting
April 14, 2009
DATE: March 27, 2009
TO: Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
FROM: Eric Hanson, Manager, Seaport Planning
Christine Wolf, Regional Transportation Program Planner, Seaport
SUBJECT: Resolution 3615, First Reading: Agreements with the Cities of Seattle and Kent,
and a direct Port contribution to FAST Corridor Phase 2 projects in these Cities.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Request for the Port Commission to authorize the Chief Executive Officer to enter into
Agreements with the Cities of Seattle and Kent, and make a direct Port contribution of
$1,690,000 plus Port staff and consulting resources to FAST Corridor Phase 2 projects in these
Cities:
• Seattle’s Duwamish Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Phase 3 Project ($500,000);
and
• Kent’s 228th Street Grade Separation Project ($1,190,000).
SYNOPSIS:
Project Descriptions
Duwamish ITS Phase 3—Seattle
The Port’s contribution to the Duwamish ITS Phase 3 Project would allow the Seattle
Department of Transportation (SDOT) to complete installation of Intelligent Transportation
System (ITS) improvements in the Duwamish Manufacturing Industrial Center, near the Port’s
major container terminals. This includes four Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) that can be used to
provide traffic information to truckers traveling to and from Port terminals and six Closed Circuit
Television (CCTV) traffic cameras. The Port would also help pay for a new interactive, web-
based traffic flow map. It enables the freight community and the general public to access the
traffic cameras and review traffic conditions throughout the City. (See Attachment A for device
locations, and the traffic flow map.)
South 228th Street Project—Kent
The S. 228th Street Project provides road improvements along a three mile corridor, and grade
separations at the BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and Union Pacific (UP) rail lines. (See
COMMISSION AGENDA
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
April 9, 2009
Page 2 of 4
Attachment B for a map of the project.) The City of Kent is requesting a Port contribution for the
second stage of the Project, a grade separation at the BNSF, which is currently under construction, and
the final stage of the Project, a grade separation at the Union Pacific, which will follow the BNSF
work. The grade separations completing the S. 228th Street corridor are critical to address the impacts
of increased rail traffic resulting from the reopening of Stampede Pass to freight traffic. They will
benefit the Port by providing a seamless truck connection between the forty million square feet of
warehouse and industrial space in the Kent Valley and the Port of Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport.
Cooperation with Partners
The proposed Agreements are based on an over-arching, prior FAST Corridor agreement. Closing the
final funding gap for Duwamish ITS and South 228th shows the Port’s continued commitment to its
partners to complete critical projects. The FAST Corridor partners include federal and state agencies,
local cities and counties, private partners, and the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma and Everett. FAST projects
extend along the rail corridor from Tacoma to Everett.
Executing these Agreements at the requested level of contribution would allow both projects to be
completed. This will help keep the FAST Corridor Program alive and support future federal and state
funding requests from the sponsors of the remaining projects. This approach would leave sufficient
funds allocated to the FAST Corridor program to allow the Port to contribute to those projects that are
getting close to implementation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY/COMMUNITY BENEFITS
Operation of Duwamish ITS will provide the following benefits:
• Seattle’s traffic management system staff will be able to more effectively monitor conditions and
adjust traffic signals in real time to address congestion and incidents in the Duwamish.
• Dynamic message signs located at strategic locations in the Duwamish will inform trucks and
other traffic about traffic conditions and detours.
• Both the freight community and the general public will be able to access a web-based traffic flow
map providing real time information on traffic conditions in the Duwamish, allowing them to
check traffic and avoid congested areas when possible even before venturing out.
• These benefits will help reduce congestion and related safety problems and air emissions. They
will be essential in managing traffic during SR-99 Viaduct replacement.
Completion of the S. 228
th
Project will capture these benefits:
• The grade-separated railroad crossings of BNSF and UP mainlines improve safety for truckers,
motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as train operations.
• Vehicle travel times are reduced by eliminating wait times at the railroad crossings.
• The improved traffic flow will reduce vehicle idling times and improve air quality.
COMMISSION AGENDA
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 27, 2009
Page 3 of 4
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED/RECOMMENDED ACTION
Two alternatives were considered:
1. Do Nothing: Should the Port not participate in the agreements, both projects would have
insufficient funds to be completed on schedule.
For Duwamish ITS, it would mean that this ITS system would not be fully functional in
advance of Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement.
Kent could not complete two grade separations across BNSF and UP lines.
2. Agreement: This alternative supports the FAST Corridor program and is the
recommended action. The Cities of Seattle and Kent and the Port of Seattle would enter into
agreements for the Port to provide a funding share of $500,000 for Duwamish ITS in Seattle
and $1,190,000 for S. 228
th
St. in Kent.
FINANCIAL ANALYIS
Project Cost Breakdown
Seattle Duwamish ITS Phase 3
$500,000
Kent S. 228
th
Street Grade Separations
$1,190,000
Port staff resources and expenses*
$20,000
Total
$1,710,000
Note*: Resources will be provided by existing Port staff. Accordingly, there is no incremental cash outflow to the Port in connection
with providing these services. However, limited consultant assistance may be required to support the staff effort.
Source of Funds
The 2009 Plan of Finance includes $1,700,000 under committed CIP #C001786, FAST Corridor 2, for
Seattle Duwamish ITS Phase 3 ($500,000) and Kent S. 228
th
Corridor ($1,200,000). The funding
source for this agreement will be the tax levy.
Financial Analysis Summary
Regional Transportation
Freight Mobility
NA
A potential risk factor is that the delivered projects do not
provide the expected direct benefit to the Port. This risk has
been mitigated by the fact that all decisions regarding the
functionality of the projects have already been made. The
Agreements require each City to collaborate with the Port on
any design changes that affect the Port’s anticipated benefit. If
the Port’s anticipated benefit is reduced by these changes, and
the parties cannot agree on a resolution, the Port has the option
to terminate the Agreement and would not be required to pay
COMMISSION AGENDA
T. Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 27, 2009
Page 4 of 4
for any construction work it has not approved and that has not
been completed.
NA
Seaport Planning
Spending on these projects will be expensed as incurred, as a
non-operating expense over the two years of construction
and/or implementation.
N/A
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTION
In 1998, by Resolution No. 3283, the Commission authorized participation in the FAST Corridor.
In 2003, by Resolution No. 3500, the Commission authorized participation in the FAST Corridor Phase
2.
REQUESTED ACTION
Resolution 3615, First Reading.