La Center Mayor Jim Irish has been elected as chairman of the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board.
The board chose Irish during its June 24 meeting in Spokane. Irish has served on the board since his appointment in 2008.
The Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board to oversee investment in local transportation work. It gives out grants to projects submitted by cities across the state.
The Transportation Improvement Board is funded by state gas tax revenue. The state has awarded nearly $2 billion through the program since 1991, according to the board.
