Small Town News

Council to host hearing on proposed road projects

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The long-term plan to upgrade Issaquah roads reaches City Council members May 2 and residents can offer input on the proposal.

Officials plan a public hearing on the Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP.

The hearing presents residents and landowners with a chance to offer input on the sweeping document mat oudines 33 transportation projects though 2016.

The list does not include as many big-ticket projects as in past years a result of council belt-tightening in the 2011 municipal budget.

Still, items outlined in the proposal could alleviate traffic congestion, offer motorists a smoother ride and improve the popular Interstate 90 Undercrossing, plus dozens of other road projects.

Municipal staffers list transportation projects in the TIP, and then prioritize the projects through a separate process to fund capital improvements.

The top-ranked projects in me TIP include a continued commitment to a program to confront traffic congestion in neighborhoods, a separate effort to repave about six miles of city streets, and a proposal to acquire additional right of way and upgrade the undercrossing near Southeast 62nd Street and 221st Place Southeast. The under-crossing opened to vehicles in December.

Though the plan proposes tens of millions in transportation spending, the city can complete only a fraction of the projects in a single year. In addition, funding for many projects hinge on state and federal grants. Projects must be fisted in the TIP in order to be eligible for gasoline tax revenue.

Under state law, Issaquah and other cities must form and approve a long-term transportation plan. Staffers plan to submit the list to the state Department of Transportation by July.

GET INVOLVED

City Council regular meeting

Agenda: Transportation Improvement Program public hearing

7:30 p.m. May 2

Council Chambers, City Hall South

135 E. Sunset Way



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© 2011 The Issaquah Press Issaquah, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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