Redmond earmarks $34.1 million for East Side Arterial; street preservation and roundabouts also prioritized

City staff described a large transportation capital program in the FY25–26 budget that centers on the East Side Arterial project and includes multiple intersection improvements, roundabouts, and a revised street preservation program.

Public Works Director Jessica McClanahan said the East Side Arterial will complete a critical east-side link from the U interchange up Ninth Street to Maple Avenue, extend Ninth Street through the old Juniper Golf Course and modernize existing sections. The total project estimate is $34,100,000 with $17,000,000 allocated to next fiscal year; funding sources cited include rental car tax, transportation system development charges (SDCs), water and wastewater enterprise funds for utilities under the roadway, and one-time general fund allocations.

Other transportation projects called out for FY25–26 include the Badger and Canal roundabout (estimated $2.9 million with $1.1 million next year), the Reservoir Drive second phase currently under construction, and a planned roundabout at Nineteenth and Airport Way with $1 million programmed for design; staff said construction timing may align with East Side Arterial phases.

Staff outlined a new pavement preservation approach using a zone system to concentrate slurry and chip seal treatments by geographic zone to reduce construction fatigue for neighborhoods and gain contracting efficiencies. The city budgeted $1.7 million for street preservation this year and aims to raise that to $2.0 million annually over the next three years to meet a target Pavement Condition Index (PCI) above 80.

Committee members raised safety concerns at the 30th and Fifth/Highland area, which is under Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) jurisdiction. Staff said the city lacks jurisdiction on the state facility but is pursuing multiple avenues, including state and federal funding requests; the city has included a placeholder (reported during the hearing at $1 million, later discussed as $2 million) in local capital planning to help leverage funds should ODOT or a state package become available.

Staff also discussed vehicle and equipment replacements needed for street sweeping and snow response, noting long lead times for specialized equipment and plans to standardize fleet components to reduce maintenance downtime.

Committee members asked about gas tax revenue trends and winter staffing patterns for snow response; staff reported a pilot to use flexible shifts tied to weather forecasts that was tested successfully this past winter and will be used to limit new FTE requests.