Independent Review of Lower Snake River Dams Transportation Analysis

Background
There are four dams on the Snake River between Clarkston, ID and Pasco, WA, known collectively as the Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD). Governor Inslee directed the Washington State Department of Transportation to oversee an analysis of replacing the transportation services provided by the LSRD. The Legislature approved and funded that proposal and directed the JTC to hire an Independent Review Team to review the WSDOT LSRD transportation analysis.

Work Details
The purpose of this project is to provide an independent review of the WSDOT transportation analysis that will look at the highway, road, and freight rail transportation needs, options, and impacts from shifting the movement of freight and goods that currently move by barge through the lower Snake River dams to highways, other roads, and rail. The project elements include both this technical analysis, as well as a separate stakeholder engagement effort. The tasks described include expertise in goods movement and transportation engineering assessments along with time, cost, and emissions estimates; convening and facilitating stakeholder groups and documenting stakeholder feedback.

Period of Performance
The final report is due by June 30, 2025.