Benton-Franklin COG outlines regional transportation plans, new data tools and funding changes

Michelle Holt, executive director of the Benton‑Franklin Council of Governments, and Erin Breitsch, the COG’s Metropolitan Planning Organization director, briefed the Kennewick City Council on Aug. 25 on regional transportation planning, data tools and grant activity affecting the Tri‑Cities region.

Erin Breitsch said the COG operates under two roles: “MPO stands for Metropolitan Planning Organization. That is the federal hat we wear,” and “Regional Transportation Planning Organization is the state hat we wear.” She summarized 2025 accomplishments and near‑term work, including a call for projects completed in May and a June awards ceremony in which the City of Kennewick won funding for three projects: Columbia Centre Boulevard widening ($3,300,000), East Columbia Park bicycle improvements ($320,000) and the Kellogg–Edison pedestrian pathway ($320,000).

The COG is leading a Tri‑Cities climate approach intended to help jurisdictions meet House Bill 1181 requirements under Washington’s growth‑management framework; Breitsch described the project as a cost‑sharing measure that avoids duplicative consultant bids while providing data for jurisdictions’ comprehensive plan updates. She said the climate approach is expected to be completed in October 2025.

Regional planning work underway includes an update to the regional freight plan (last updated in 2008) and the regional transportation plan (RTP). Breitsch said the RTP update will incorporate scenario…