Engineering staff told the finance committee they are focused on completing a backlog of capital projects and preparing design and construction work for next year.

The presentation listed as-high-priority items: finishing the 37 and 140 First Street corridor (target completion this year or spring next year), the Nickel Plate Trail bridge over 96th Street, the second phase of the 130/136th Street corridor, and new work on 130th and Brook School Road tied to an ongoing corridor study. The engineer noted the Olio and Southeastern five‑leg intersection will be converted to a conventional four‑lane roundabout with a teardrop island and a signal on Audi Road, and a 96th/Cynthia roundabout is planned for an area recently transferred from county to city jurisdiction.

On resurfacing, staff said Community Crossings matching grants earlier required $1,500,000 but will be reduced in the near term to a $1,000,000 local match; the department budgeted for a $1,000,000 match and expects to pursue two resurfacing packages next year. Engineering reported a continuing goal to resurface 20–25 lane miles annually and noted a two‑year spike to about 40.5 miles between 2020–2023; the department hopes to reach roughly 50 lane miles across 2025–2026.

Staff described corridor and trail planning, including an east–west trail study intended to link the event center, downtown, the community center and Ambassador Park; that study is still in early phases. The engineer also said the city is evaluating widening USA Parkway and upgrading the IKEA intersection with new signal infrastructure to manage growth in traffic tied to nearby development.

Committee members asked timing questions about the Brook School corridor study and whether construction can be budgeted for next year. Engineering replied the study will be completed by year-end, next comes design and phasing, and only portions will be ready to include in next year’s budget. On 116th and Allisonville intersection improvements, staff said construction is expected to begin spring 2026 and be completed in a single construction season.

Ending: Staff will return with refined project timing and budget numbers at future finance meetings and the committee will consider allocations on September 10 before formal council budget action.