Mount Vernon — Members of the Skagit Valley Bicycle Coalition told the council Wednesday they want the city to press Washington State Department of Transportation for improvements to the SR 536 Skagit River Bridge and to consider interim measures during a planned repainting closure.

Ingrid Hannon, who identified herself as part of the Skagit Valley Bicycle Coalition, said the bridge’s current configuration “discourages bike transportation and is dangerous for those who do cross, requiring cyclists to either dismount or walk the sidewalk or ride the road with vehicles with no shoulder for passing.” She added that WSDOT’s plan to close the bridge for repainting in 2026 is worrisome “if the painting is used only to extend the status quo for all users.”

Nut graf: Coalition members asked the city to join county and state partners in exploring funding and design options for short- and long-term improvements, and to plan for the effects of a repainting closure the coalition said could last about a year and require 30-minute minimum bus rides between sides. Andrea, a coalition member, said the current sidewalk is not ADA compliant in practice because people with mobility devices cannot safely pass.

Lehi Herber, a coalition and Mount Vernon Parks Foundation board member, urged the council to explore improved access to Little Mountain Park by pursuing a county-owned strip of road for trail access. Surveying the problem and pursuing cooperative funding were suggested solutions.

Council members noted the bridge is state-owned and suggested coordination with WSDOT and the county. The coalition offered to help identify funding and to collaborate on planning.Ultimately, council members thanked the coalition and left next steps as further intergovernmental coordination and possible future involvement in planning and funding discussions.

Ending: The council received the coalition’s presentation and agreed to consider WSDOT and county coordination; no formal action was taken Wednesday.