Title 47, PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

The community aviation revitalization board and the department of transportation must keep proper records of accounts, which are subject to audit by the state auditor. [ 2021 c 175 s 9.] Notes: Findings—Effective date—2021 c 175: See notes following RCW 47.68.430.

The purposes of this chapter are to aid commerce and navigation, including the development of recreational facilities related thereto, and to otherwise promote the general welfare by the development of navigation canals within the boundaries of the state of Washington. [ 1965 ex.…

In its capacity as successor to the canal commission, the department of transportation may: (1) Adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (2) Make such investigations, surveys, and studies it deems necessary to determine the feasibility of t…

For the purposes of this chapter, "canal" is defined as any waterway for navigation created by construction of reservoirs or construction of channels by excavation in dry ground, in streams, rivers or in tidal waters and any existing waterway incorporated into such a canal and in…

The legislature finds that a balanced multimodal transportation system is required to maintain the state's commitment to the growing mobility needs of its citizens and commerce. The state's freight rail system, including branch lines, mainlines, rail corridors, terminals, yards, …

The Washington state department of transportation shall implement a state freight rail program that supports the freight rail service objectives identified in the state's multimodal transportation plan required under chapter 47.06 RCW. The support may be in the form of projects a…

(1) The department of transportation shall prepare and periodically update a state rail plan, the objective of which is to identify, evaluate, and encourage essential rail services. The plan shall: (a) Identify and evaluate mainline capacity issues; (b) Identify and evaluate port…

(1) The department of transportation shall continue its responsibility for the development and implementation of the state rail plan and programs, and the utilities and transportation commission shall continue its responsibility for railroad safety issues. (2) The department of t…

The state, counties, local communities, ports, railroads, labor, and shippers all benefit from continuation of rail service and should participate in its preservation. Lines that provide benefits to the state and local jurisdictions, such as avoided roadway costs, reduced traffic…

(1) The essential rail assistance account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be appropriated only for the purposes specified in this section. (2) Moneys appropriated from the account to the department of transportation may be used by the department or dis…

All revenue received by the department of transportation from operating leases or other business operations on the Palouse River and Coulee City rail lines must be deposited in the essential rail assistance account created in RCW 47.76.250 and used only for the refurbishment or i…

The essential rail banking account is merged into the essential rail assistance account created under RCW 47.76.250. Any appropriations made to the essential rail banking account are transferred to the essential rail assistance account, and are subject to the restrictions of that…

(1) The department may sell or lease property acquired under this chapter to a county rail district established under chapter 36.60 RCW, a county, a port district, or any other public or private entity authorized to operate rail service. Any public or private entity that original…

(1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter that is essential for the operation of the rail service contemplated in RCW 47.76.280 is not sold or leased to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail service within six years of its acquisition by t…

If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold to a public or private entity authorized to operate rail service within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may transfer and convey the property to the United States, its agencie…

The department is authorized subject to the provisions and requirements of zoning ordinances of political subdivisions of government, to rent or lease any lands acquired under this chapter, upon such terms and conditions as the department determines. [ 1993 c 224 s 10; 1991 sp.s.…

(1) If real property acquired by the department under this chapter is not sold, conveyed, or leased to a public or private entity within six years of its acquisition by the department, the department may, in its discretion, sell the property at public auction in accordance with s…

Transfers of ownership of property acquired under this chapter are exempt from chapters 8.25 and 8.26 RCW. [ 1993 c 224 s 12; 1991 sp.s. c 15 s 66; 1985 c 432 s 8. Formerly RCW 47.76.090.] Notes: Construction—Severability—1991 sp.s. c 15: See note following RCW 46.68.110.

The department of transportation shall continue to monitor federal rail policies and congressional action and communicate to Washington's congressional delegation and federal transportation agencies the need for a balanced transportation system and associated funding. [ 1990 c 43…

Funds deemed by the department of transportation, in consultation with relevant port districts, to be in excess of current operating needs or capital reserves of the grain train program may be transferred from the miscellaneous program account to the essential rail assistance acc…

(1) The department must transfer, at no cost, to the Port of Royal Slope the Royal Slope railroad right-of-way, and any materials, equipment, and supplies purchased as a part of the Royal Slope rehabilitation project (L1000053). (2) The Port of Royal Slope must maintain the Royal…

The legislature finds that an actively coordinated and cooperatively facilitated railcar pool for transportation of perishable agricultural commodities is necessary for the continued viability and competitiveness of Washington's agricultural industry. The legislature also finds t…

As used in RCW 47.76.400 through * 47.76.450 "short line railroad" means a Class II or Class III railroad as defined by the United States Surface Transportation Board. [ 2003 c 191 s 2.] Notes: *Reviser's note: RCW 47.76.450 was repealed by 2025 c 399 s 1.

In addition to powers otherwise granted by law, the department may establish a Washington Produce Railcar Pool to promote viable, cost-effective rail service for Washington produce, including but not limited to apples, onions, pears, and potatoes, both processed and fresh. To the…

To the extent that funds are appropriated, the department shall fund the program as follows: The department may accept funding from the federal government, or other public or private sources, to purchase or lease new or used railcars and to refurbish and remodel the railcars as n…

(1) The transportation management firm hired under RCW 47.76.420(3) shall manage the day-to-day operations of the railcars, such as monitoring the location of the cars, returning them to this state, distributing them, arranging for pretrips and repairs, and arranging for per diem…

(1) The department shall establish a freight rail investment bank program for the purpose of supporting freight rail capital needs by providing low-interest loans to entities based on the state's interests as outlined in RCW 47.76.240. (2) The department shall issue freight rail …

(1) The department shall establish the statewide emergent freight rail assistance program for the purpose of supporting freight rail capital needs by awarding grants based on the state's interests as outlined in RCW 47.76.240. (2) Grants shall be selected using the cost-benefit m…

The legislature recognizes that major intercity transportation corridors in this state are becoming increasingly congested. In these corridors, population is expected to grow by nearly forty percent over the next twenty years, while employment will grow by nearly fifty percent. T…

The legislature finds that there is substantial public benefit to establishing a high-speed ground transportation program in this state. The program shall implement the recommendations of the high-speed ground transportation steering committee report dated October 15, 1992. The p…

The legislature finds it important to develop public support and awareness of the benefits of high-speed ground transportation by developing high quality intercity passenger rail service as a first step. This high quality intercity passenger rail service shall be developed throug…

The legislature recognizes the need to plan for the high-speed ground transportation service and the high quality intercity rail passenger service set forth in RCW 47.79.020 and 47.79.030. The department of transportation shall, subject to legislative appropriation, develop a rai…

Subject to appropriation, the department is authorized to acquire by purchase, lease, condemnation, gift, devise, bequest, grant, or exchange, title to or any interests or rights in real property adjacent to or used in association with state intercity passenger rail service which…

Subject to appropriation, the department is authorized to accept and expend or use gifts, grants, and donations for the benefit of any depot, platform, parking area, maintenance facility, or other associated rail facility. However, such an expenditure shall be for the public bene…

Subject to appropriation, the department is authorized to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties necessary, convenient, or incidental to the planning, designing, constructing, improving, repairing, operating, and maintaining real property adjacent to or used in associ…

The legislature finds that a balanced, multimodal transportation system is an essential element of the state's infrastructure, and that effective rail passenger service is an integral part of a balanced, multimodal transportation system. The legislature further finds that the Kin…

The department may acquire, or contract to acquire, by purchase, lease, option to lease or purchase, condemnation, gift, devise, bequest, grant, or exchange of title, the King Street railroad station depot located in Seattle, or any interests or rights in it, and other real prope…

During all periods that the department contracts to own or lease some, or all, of the King Street railroad station properties, the department may exercise all the powers and perform all the duties necessary, convenient, or incidental for planning, designing, constructing, improvi…

To facilitate tax exempt financing for the acquisition and improvement of the King Street railroad station, the department may lease from or contract with public or private entities for the acquisition, lease, operation, maintenance, financing, renovation, restoration, or managem…

(1) The department may establish the King Street railroad station facility account as an interest-bearing local account. Receipts from the sources listed in subsection (2) of this section must be deposited into the account. Nothing in this section is a pledge of funds deposited t…

(1) The legislature recognizes that intercity passenger rail is an integral part of the state's transportation system and is critical to the state's ability to meet the climate, public health, equity, and mobility goals of the state as it continues to experience growth. The legis…

This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1993. [ 1993 c 381 s 5.]

The legislature finds that while the transportation system in Washington is owned and operated by numerous public jurisdictions, it should function as one interconnected and coordinated system. Transportation planning, at all jurisdictional levels, should be coordinated with loca…

The legislature recognizes that recent legislative enactments have significantly added to the complexity of and to the potential for benefits from integrated transportation and comprehensive planning and that there is currently a unique opportunity for integration of local compre…

The legislature hereby authorizes creation of regional transportation planning organizations within the state. Each regional transportation planning organization shall be formed through the voluntary association of local governments within a county, or within geographically conti…

Each regional transportation planning organization shall have the following duties: (1) Prepare and periodically update a transportation strategy for the region. The strategy shall address alternative transportation modes and transportation demand management measures in regional …