(1) Purpose of the Transportation Element. This transportation element has been developed in accordance with RCW 36.70A.070 of the Growth Management Act to address the motorized and nonmotorized transportation needs of the City of Forks. It represents the community’s policy plan for the next twenty (20) years.

The transportation element has been developed in accordance with the County-wide Planning Policies, and has been integrated with all other planning elements to ensure consistency throughout the Comprehensive Plan. The transportation element specifically considers the location and condition of the existing traffic circulation system; the cause, scope, and nature of transportation problems; the projected transportation needs; and plans for the addressing all transportation needs while maintaining established level of service standards.

(2) Concurrence. This element contains the City of Forks’ plan to provide specified levels of transportation service in a timely manner. The levels of service standards that are adopted in this plan will be maintained through upkeep of the existing circulation system and expansion of transportation services where needed. The City has adopted level of service standards for the arterials that handle the most significant volume of local traffic in the City. Design standards have been adopted for all other collectors and arterials in the City. The level of service standards for transit facilities have been linked to the level of service standards for the arterials. These standards provide a measurable criteria to judge the adequacy of roadway service provision.

The process of establishing level of service standards requires the City to make quality of service decisions explicit. As specified in the Growth Management Act, new developments will be prohibited unless transportation improvements or strategies to accommodate the impacts of development are made concurrent with the development. Such improvements and strategies must be in place or financially planned for within six (6) years of development use.

The City of Forks is an active participant in two (2) larger transportation planning organizations – Regional Transportation Planning Organization and the Coastal Corridor planning body. The Regional Transportation Planning Organization consists of representatives from four (4) counties (Clallam, Mason, Kitsap, and Jefferson), nine (9) cities, four (4) transit agencies, fifty-seven (57) port districts, ten (10) Indian nations, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and members of the private sector. Regional Transportation Plan Draft #1, Chapter 1, pg. 1. The Coastal Corridor planning body includes representatives from the various governments and agencies associated with SR 101. While the Coastal Corridor group is primarily focused upon planning for means to enhance economic development along SR 101, the Regional Transportation Planning Organization is working on efforts to improve the regional transportation system.

(3) Major Transportation Consideration and Goals. The type and availability of transportation resources are major factors in the development of land use patterns, while conversely, the way land is used greatly influences the need and location for new transportation. The relationship between transportation and land use is one of continuous interaction and their planning must be coordinated. The future land use map, the Land Use Plan, and the Transportation Plan are highly dependent on each other and need to be carefully coordinated. The Transportation Plan in this element will guide decision-making to achieve the community goals as articulated in the vision statement.