Olympics the Border TBWG 5 29

Slide1: 

Olympics-related Travel at the BC - WA Border & through Northwest Washington State April 29, 2004 TBWG Washington, DC

Countdown to 2010: 

Countdown to 2010 July 2003 – International Olympic Committee (IOC) Awards 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver/Whistler, B.C. 2004 – Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (VANOC) forms. 2006 - ’10 – Cultural Olympiad 2008 – ’09 – Test events for every sport and venue 2009 – Tickets become available (1.4 – 1.8 million) 2010 January 15 – Olympic Arts Festival begins February 12-28 – Olympic Winter Games March 12-21 – Paralympic Games

Complementary Efforts Towards a Regional Transportation Response: 

Complementary Efforts Towards a Regional Transportation Response Regional Transportation Planning Initiative WCOG (MPO) WSDOT

International Mobility & Trade Corridor (IMTC) Organizational Structure: 

International Mobility & Trade Corridor (IMTC) Organizational Structure Lead Agency: WCOG

IMTC: 

IMTC July, 2003 –Adopted objective to: “support efficient and predictable cross-border travel to and from the 2010 Winter Olympic games in British Columbia.” April, 2004 – Decision to form an IMTC Olympics Subcommittee to: Communication with the Vancouver Organizing Committee. Keep focus on the border relative to Olympics transportation and security.

Washington State Department of Transportation: 

Washington State Department of Transportation February 2004 preliminary assessment of improvements needed for 2010

Washington State Department of Transportation: 

Washington State Department of Transportation February 2004 assessment of improvements needed for 2010 Supplemental Interstate Maint. and Improvements: Snow & ice removal Safety-rest areas Additional signage Widen State Route 539 from 2-3 lanes to 4-5 lanes REVISE I-5-Blaine interchange geometry to preserve access and serve new facility Safety Improvements on State Route 9 REPLACE Peace Arch Inspection Facility Some funded, others evolving

IMTC Coordinated Construction Schedule: 

IMTC Coordinated Construction Schedule

FHWA Capacity BuildingProgram: 

FHWA Capacity Building Program Peer-to-Peer Exchange Whatcom County staff Salt Lake City staff

FHWA Peer-to-Peer ExchangeWhatcom County Salt Lake City: 

FHWA Peer-to-Peer Exchange Whatcom County Salt Lake City

Peer-to-Peer Topics: 

Peer-to-Peer Topics 2002 attendance & ticketing statistics Project definition and funding Transportation-demand-management Communications program Value of communication with the Organizing Committee Transportation planning Ticket sales Lodging program

Olympics Transportation Regional Planning Initiative: 

Olympics Transportation Regional Planning Initiative Ensure that Western Washington’s cross- border transportation systems complement a successful Olympics by responding to needs of increased mobility and security. Provide a mechanism for communication with 2010 Organizing Committee planners. Form and implement a coordinated, regional transportation plan.

What will come (and go) our way?: 

What will come (and go) our way? The Basic Questions How many Olympics travelers will transit or travel from Washington? What travel demands will be placed on: Border crossings? U.S. Interstate 5? Amtrak Cascades? Regional airports? Security?

Slide14: 

Source: Vancouver 2010 Bid-book. Volume 3, Theme 13, Transport, pg 79. Venues The border Border crossings Main cross-border highways Amtrak Airports Marine

Regional Planning Initiative Details: 

Regional Planning Initiative Details Coordinated between WCOG (MPO) & WSDOT Travel demand forecasts Identification of system enhancements Infrastructure, operations, multi-agency efforts, ITS Regional coordination tools Compilation and distribution of regional project information Ongoing revisions/communication IMTC & VANOC Regional econometric modeling Estimated level of effort for WCOG 5 ½ years -- $1.07 million

Thank you: 

Thank you More information: Vancouver 2010: www.winter2010.com WCOG & IMTC: www.wcog.org WSDOT: www.wsdot.wa.gov Gordon Rogers Whatcom Council of Governments gordon@wcog.org