Council approves study on Tideflats transportation

The city of Fife will participate in a multi-agency $515,000 study regarding current and future traffic in the Tideflats area.

The Tideflats Area Transportation Study (TATS) will analyze traffic (especially freight traffic) in the Tacoma Tideflats region and broadly identify long-term transportation requirements necessary to accommodate growth in the region. The study will also provide transportation data for multiple agencies that could support possible future transportation funding to the region.

The agencies involved with the study include the Port of Tacoma, city of Tacoma, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Pierce County and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. Also involved is terminal operator SSA Marine and Marine View Ventures, the economic development arm of the tribe. “This information is going to be valuable, because Fife needs to update its transportation studies,” Public Works Director Russ Blount said.

The port and WSDOT have each contributed $150,000 toward the study. Fife has contributed $75,000. This study has not been budgeted for 2010 and will most likely utilize funds from the traffic impact fees or the general fund to cover costs. The city has negotiated a later payment deadline for the study fees, which should make budgeting funds easier, Blount explained.

“We might not have to contribute any funds until the next budgeting cycle,” Blount said.

Staff plans to incorporate information gathered from TATS in the next update to the transportation element of the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan was last updated in 2002. A similar study was budgeted in 2008, but was deferred because of revenue shortfalls.

Fife City Manager Steve Worthington noted that this study was an objective of the city council nearly a year ago.

“We wanted to create an analytical tool to see who has which share of the transportation impacts,” Worthington said. “I think this study achieves that.”

While most council members agreed this was a worthwhile project, others felt now was not the right time. Mayor Pro Tem Butch Brooks and Councilmember Glenn Hull both felt that because of the economy, the city could not afford the study at this time.

Councilmember Don Alveshere expressed similar concerns, but felt the study was necessary.

“It addresses something we need to do anyway,” Alveshere said. “It’s probably cheaper because of the partnerships.”

Worthington reminded council members that this study is beneficial and worthwhile for the city.

“It’s a special opportunity,” Worthington said. “The last time the city did a study like this, we had to spend more than double for the same data.”

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