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County staff to draft comments on USDOT surface-transportation reauthorization request
Summary
Susan Eugenas briefed commissioners on a U.S. Department of Transportation request for information about surface-transportation reauthorization; staff will circulate a draft comment emphasizing bridges, culverts and regional emergency routes.
Susan Eugenas told the Board that the U.S. Department of Transportation had posted a Federal Register request for information on the surface-transportation reauthorization, which is scheduled to come up for reauthorization in September 2026. She said comments on the request for information were due next week and that she had prepared a draft starting point for a county comment letter.
Eugenas described federal programs tied to the package — Surface Transportation Program (STP), Protect funds, Highway Safety Improvement Program and Safe Streets for All — and told commissioners those programs vary in how funds are distributed (some to MPOs/RTPOs, some competitive statewide or nationwide). “They’re looking for comments, support, what we think needs to be changed on their surface transportation package because it comes up for… reauthorization in September 2026,” Eugenas said.
Commissioners asked that the draft emphasize locally critical priorities such as bridge replacement and upsizing culverts, emergency funding for roads that serve as interstate bypass routes, and regionally significant structures including the Rainier Bridge. One commissioner said the letter should focus on substantial structure projects rather than smaller pedestrian projects. Eugenas said she would incorporate those points, add language about emergency/federally classified road funding (FEMA and USDOT emergency funds) and circulate a revised draft to the board for review by Monday.
Next steps: Eugenas will revise the draft comment letter, add emphasis on locally significant bridge and corridor projects and distribute it to commissioners for edits before submission. Commissioners did not vote; staff will move forward with preparing the comment for board review.
