The legislature recognizes that the finance and project
implementation planning processes required for the Alaskan Way
viaduct and Seattle Seawall replacement project and the state
route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV project cannot
guarantee appropriate decisions unless key study assumptions are
reasonable with respect to each project.
To assure appropriate finance plan and project
implementation plan assumptions, an expert review panel shall be
appointed to provide independent financial and technical review
for development of a finance plan and project implementation plan
for the projects described in this section.
(1) The expert review panel shall consist of five to ten
members who are recognized experts in relevant fields, such as
planning, engineering, finance, law, the environment, emerging
transportation technologies, geography, and economics.
(2) The expert review panel shall be selected cooperatively
by the chairs of the senate and house transportation committees,
the secretary of the department of transportation, and the
governor to assure a balance of disciplines.
(3) The chair of the expert review panel shall be designated
by the governor.
(4) The expert review panel shall, with respect to
completion of the project alternatives as described in the draft
environmental impact statement of each project:
(a) Review the finance plan for the project to ensure that
it clearly identifies secured and anticipated funding sources and
is feasible and sufficient;
(b) Review the project implementation plan covering all
state and local permitting and mitigation approvals that ensure
the most expeditious and cost-effective delivery of the project;
and
(c) Report its findings and recommendations on the items
described in (a) and (b) of this subsection to the joint
transportation committee, the office of financial management, and
the governor by September 1, 2006.
(5) Upon receipt of the expert review panel's findings and
recommendations under subsection (4)(c) of this section, the
governor must make a finding of whether each finance plan is
feasible and sufficient to complete the project as described in
the draft environmental impact statement.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to delay
construction of any of the projects referenced in this section.
[2006 c 311 § 28.]
NOTES:
Findings -- 2006 c 311: See note following RCW 36.120.020.