Services & Programs

Transportation Planning

Longview-Kelso-Rainier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

CWCOG is the lead agency for a bi-state MPO, comprised of the urbanized area of Longview and Kelso, Washington and, crossing over the Columbia River, the city of Rainier, Oregon. The urbanized area, originally designated as an MPO in 1982 by federal and state governments, covers an area of over 66,000 people. MPO activities are guided by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Regional Policy Advisory Committee (RPACT), comprised of elected officials from the cities, county, ports, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and private sector. RPACT acts as the transportation advisory to the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Government board which has the final authority over all MPO activities. The Longview-Kelso-Rainier Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee (MPO) accomplishes much of the groundwork prior to RPACT and CWCOG consideration.

The CWCOG, as the lead agency for long-range transportation planning, is instrumental in the planning for major transportation network improvements that are implemented by the participating local governments. As a result of this planning over the past 15 years, the urban area has generated over $100 million in actual projects. These include two bridges (Allen Street and Lexington) and one freeway interchange upgrade (I-5/SR 432/Talley Way). Currently, there are several projects that are going through preliminary design, engineering and environmental work to complete an additional partially funded $7 million in projects.

The transportation planning staff works closely with local agencies, ports, and private sector representatives and stakeholders in the development of the long-range transportation planning activities for the urbanized area. Currently underway is a strategic implementation plan for access management throughout the urban area. CWCOG staff is also conducting a strategic plan to determine future transit service for the urban area.

CWCOG staff routinely develops the urban area transportation improvement program (TIP), assists in the allocation of federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds, and updates the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Funding for these activities primarily comes from state and federal sources with a match provided by local jurisdictions.

Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO)

CWCOG is the lead agency for the five-county Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO). The SWRTPO is comprised of Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties. Regional Transportation Planning Organizations were enabled by the legislature in 1992 to allow for counties to voluntarily group together and provide regional transportation planning services. RTPO activities are supported by state funds.

CWCOG transportation planning staff works with the local agencies in the five-county area to carry out regional transportation planning activities that cover a wide array of transportation-related issues. CWCOG collaborates with the five counties to prioritize transportation needs and assist in securing funding to complete projects that keep the regional transportation network up to date.

Current activities include…

• Developing a Coordinated Human Services Transit Plan.
• Making amendments to the Regional Transportation Improvement Program.
• Completing studies regarding improvements to the I-5 corridor in Lewis County.
• Working with WSDOT rail personnel and Burlington Northern Santa Fe to improve rail travel and storage along the north-south mainline.
• Updating the Regional Transportation Plan.

Upcoming studies include…

• Developing a transportation strategic plan for the Woodland area.
• Completing an arterial analysis of the Centralia/Chehalis urban area.
• Completing reconnaissance of US 101 corridor through Aberdeen-Hoquiam urban area.

Transportation Committees

• Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Regional Policy Advisory Committee (RPACT)
  The Regional Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation serves Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and the urbanized area of Longview, Kelso and Rainier, OR. Committee members are dedicated to identifying transportation issues, developing alternative solutions, educating decision-makers and the public and recommending strategies to improve and enhance all modes of transportation.
• Longview-Kelso-Rainier Metropolitan Planning Organization Technical Advisory Committee (MPO TAC)
  Public works and engineering staff from urban area jurisdictions make up this committee. The MPO TAC advises the RPACT on transportation issues specific to the Longview-Kelso-Rainier metropolitan area.
• Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization Board of Directors
  The SWRTPO is comprised of one county commissioner from each participating county, representatives from participating cities, port district representatives, administrators from two Washington State Department of Transportation regions, and legislators from districts 18, 19, 20, 24 and 35.
  
  The board is responsible for developing and adopting the Regional Transportation Plan and a planning work program through which the RTPO addresses transportation issues in a coordinated and cooperative manner. For Lewis and Pacific counties, the board certifies that transportation elements in local comprehensive plans are consistent with the regional plan. The COG contracts with Grays Harbor Council of Governments for transportation planning in that county and staff participates on the Lewis County Transportation Coalition and Pacific Council of Governments.

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