Washington’s Transportation Plan (WTP): Working Across Agencies and Jurisdictions for a New Mobility Ecosystem

Session 3B | Thursday | 9:15 – 10:30 AM (PT)

About the Session

Advancements in technology, changes in operating practices, population growth, and climate risks have led to a transformative point in transportation. We are seeing disruption and opportunity in the form of increased rates of telework and virtual connection, new partnerships, and common interests across agencies including the private sector. New state and federal priorities focused on resilience, equity, and environmental justice, and emerging technologies in both vehicles and infrastructure require new approaches for planning and evaluating transportation projects and investments. The purpose of this session is to invite discussion and reflection around some of the most challenging issues facing transportation planning in Washington. Speakers will explore strategies that help our agencies and jurisdictions change with targeted questions from the moderator and the audience.

About the Moderator

Paula Reeves, AICP CTP

Washington State Transportation Commission

Paula Reeves, AICP CTP has been planning in Washington state for over twenty years with a focus on health and sustainability. She recently joined the Washington State Transportation Commission as their Senior Policy Staff. Several of Paula’s policy and program development accomplishments include completing the Health Impact Assessment for the Millennium Bulk Coal Terminal as Senior Environmental Planner at Washington State Department of Health; creating Washington’s Safe Routes to Schools Program and establishing Washington as the most bicycle friendly state in the nation for eight years during her tenure at Washington State Department of Transportation, and securing a federal grant from the Center for Disease Control to modernize Washington’s Growth Management Act while serving as APA Washington Chapter President. Her city and county planning work includes completion of two local comprehensive plans, development of a shoreline master program, writing a critical areas ordinance and serving as the floodplain manager for a coastal county. She has also done pro-bono community design work in eight major US metropolitan areas with the American Institute of Architects, Sustainable Design Team. Paula is a practicing mediator in Thurston County, Past President of the American Planning Association (APA) Washington Chapter, 2018 recipient of the Robert Burke Award for distinguished service from APA, and appointed to the Urban Land Institute’s Health Leaders Network in 2020.

About the Speakers

Rep. Andrew Barkis

Representative 2nd Legislative District

Rep. Andrew Barkis is the recipient of APA Washington's Legislator of the year this year, 2023. He represents the 2nd Legislative District and was first appointed to the state House of Representatives in February 2016. He is currently serving his fourth term as a state representative. He is a graduate of Seattle University with a degree in Communications. He also completed their Army ROTC program. Since 2019, Andrew has served as the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee. As one of the state's transportation budget leaders, he is the voice for fiscal responsibility, reform, and reprioritization. His goals are to keep costs down, stop the trend of forced taxes on drivers, and complete projects within existing revenue. His personal knowledge, experience, and leadership as a local business owner foster his priority to address the housing and homelessness crisis that continues to shadow Washington state. His focus is to increase housing supply by removing barriers to people's ability to obtain affordable housing.

Lois Bollenback, Executive Director

Spokane Regional Transportation Council

Lois currently serves as the Executive Director for Spokane Regional Transportation Council. She worked in transportation planning and transit management in the Volusia County area for more than 20 years, in both the public and private sector. Prior to moving to Volusia County, Lois worked in the Quality Control department of Kennedy Space Center and served in the US Air Force. After returning from active duty, she enrolled in the University of Central Florida and earned a bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a master's Degree in Applied Economics. She moved to Volusia County in 1999 to work as a Planner for the Volusia County MPO. Over the years, Lois increased her knowledge and experience in the field of transportation working for a local planning and engineering firm and for McDonald Transit Associates, a transit management firm based in Fort Worth, Texas. Her assignment with McDT included serving as the Assistant General Manager and General Manager for Votran, the transit provider for Volusia County, Florida. She returned to work for the River to Sea TPO (f.k.a. Volusia TPO) in 2009 where she served as the Executive Director until August 2021.

Roger Millar

Washington State Department of Transportation

Roger Millar joined the Washington State Department of Transportation as Deputy Secretary in October 2015 and was appointed Secretary of Transportation in August 2016. He oversees an agency that is the steward of a complex, multimodal transportation system, and responsible for ensuring that people and goods move safely and efficiently..

Bridget Ray

Washington State Department of Commerce, Growth Management Office

Bridget currently serves as the Tribal Planning Liaison for the Growth Management Office within Washington State Department of Commerce. She has spent 20+ years working in Tribal Planning as well as Native Philanthropy.

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