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

2. Countdown to 2010 July 2003 – International Olympic Committee (IOC) Awards 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver/Whistler, B.C.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.2004 – Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (VANOC) forms. 2006 - ’10 – Cultural Olympiad2006 - ’10 – Cultural Olympiad 2008 – ’09 – Test events for every sport and venue2008 – ’09 – Test events for every sport and venue 2009 – Tickets become available (1.4 – 1.8 million)2009 – Tickets become available (1.4 – 1.8 million) 20102010 –January 15 – Olympic Arts Festival begins –February 12-28 – Olympic Winter Games –March 12-21 – Paralympic Games

3. Complementary Efforts Towards a Regional Transportation Response IMTCIMTCWSDOTWSDOT FHWA Peer-to-Peer Exchange Regional Transportation Planning Initiative WCOG (MPO)WCOG (MPO) WSDOTWSDOT Regional Transportation Planning Initiative WCOG (MPO)WCOG (MPO) WSDOTWSDOT

4. International Mobility & Trade Corridor (IMTC) Organizational Structure Steering Committee 25 Core Group 45 Makes decisions General Assembly 300 Information and feedback Lead Agency: WCOG Issue-specific subgroups

5. IMTC July, 2003 –Adopted objective to: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: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.

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

7. 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 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

8. IMTC Coordinated Construction Schedule

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

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

11. Peer-to-Peer Topics 2002 attendance & ticketing statistics2002 attendance & ticketing statistics Project definition and fundingProject definition and funding Transportation-demand- managementTransportation-demand- management Communications programCommunications program Value of communication with the Organizing CommitteeValue of communication with the Organizing Committee –Transportation planning –Ticket sales –Lodging program

12. 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.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.

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

14. Source: Vancouver 2010 Bid-book. Volume 3, Theme 13, Transport, pg 79. VenuesVenues The borderThe border Border crossingsBorder crossings Main cross- border highwaysMain cross- border highways AmtrakAmtrak AirportsAirports MarineMarine

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

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