Whatcom Council of Governments

The Community Transportation Advisory Group (CTAG)

CTAG is a citizen-based group that advises the Whatcom Regional Transportation Policy Board on the community's concerns to help reach a collaborative vision for Whatcom County's transportation system. 

CTAG evolved out the Whatcom Transportation Summit held May 18, 2001, where over 150 community members and leaders gathered to lay the groundwork for a more coordinated, comprehensive, and community-based transportation policy.  Summit participants agreed that more work was needed to translate community concerns into ongoing input for transportation planners and policy makers.

From that effort, a final report, It Matters How We Get There, was developed and the Community Transportation Advisory Group was formed. CTAG membership has varied since established in 2003, but members continue to work hard at making the region’s transportation system, and the mechanism for transportation improvement decisions, more efficient and better suited to existing and future demands.

Meetings

CTAG meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of each month from 4:30pm - 6:30pm.  Meeting locations may vary.

2008 CTAG Meeting Schedule

Message Board

CTAG members post regional transportation-related notifications, articles, and links on the CTAG Yahoo Group. 

Projects

CTAG has been involved in the following projects:

• Participated in the development of the current Whatcom Transportation Plan
• Reviewed transportation project selection criteria
• Sponsored a consultant to help Whatcom communities improve their walkability and made related presentations to the Whatcom Transportation Policy Board, the Washington State Transportation Commission, and the Washington State Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.

Current projects underway include discussions of freight issues, emerging technologies and transportation system funding, and the development of an online educational resource about transportation modes and planning for Whatcom County. 

CTAG Members

• Kathy Berg, Vice-Chair - Community organization, econ. dev, environmental, Birch Bay
• Carol Berry, Chair - Bicycle/pedestrian issues, WWU transportation, Bellingham
• Davin Branson - WWU student body transportation representative
• Scott Dorough - Regional bicycling and community design issues
• Rick Gantman - Mt. Baker School District, Deming
• Glen Hallman - Aging population, senior transportation, Bellingham
• Chris Hatch - Timber interests, Acme
• Jack Haupt - St. Joseph Hospital, regional perspectives, long-range planning, Bellingham
• Carole MacDonald - Foothills Chamber of Commerce, visitor experience issues, Maple Falls
• Patrick Pollock, Vice-Chair - Freight, industrial business concerns, Birch Bay
• Dave Pros - Consultant, Lake Samish
• Larry Wickkiser - Private transportation, roles of private vs. public operators, Ferndale

WTA - Only Advisory Members

• Mike Langey- Whatcom Community College
• John McGarrity- Cornwall Park Neighborhood Association
• Dale Monroe- WWU, Puget Neighborhood Association
• Kirsten Shelton- Downtown Renaissance Network
• Christopher Turner- Former WTA Advisory Committee Member
• Aaron Thomas- Lummi Nation
• Myron Wlaznak- Silver Beach Neighborhood Association

Technical Advisors

• Maureen McCarthy - Whatcom Transportation Authority
• John Hergesheimer - Transpotation Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC), Port of Bellingham
• Ellen Barton - Transportation Project Specialist/BikeSmart Program Coordinator, Whatcom Council of Governments
• Gary Davis - Whatcom County Transportation Planner
• Chris Comeau - City of Bellingham Public Works

Administrative Support

• Gordon Rogers - Deputy Director, Whatcom Council of Governments
• Mary Anderson - Program Assistant, Whatcom Council of Governments