Sumner approves $189,500 design contract for Main Street crosswalk upgrades

The Sumner City Council on June 23 authorized the mayor to execute a design contract with Transpo Group for the Main Street Crossings project, a pedestrian-safety effort funded in part by a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant.

Public Works Director Michael Cosa told the council the city negotiated a maximum payable design fee of $189,500 and that the project has a $747,214 TIB award for design and construction. He said the design phase will start with a survey and that the city hopes to advertise construction bids in spring 2026.

The project focuses on pedestrian improvements at six intersections along Main Street: Alder, Ryan (two closely spaced crossings), Bonnie (in front of Sumner High School), Lewis, Parker and the area near 160th (east of the Sumner Mill/Windmill Gardens area). Cosa said proposed work includes curb extensions (also called curb bulbs), Americans with Disabilities Act ramp upgrades, relocated storm drainage where inlets conflict with crosswalks, new sidewalk where missing and potential rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at some crossings.

Deputy Mayor Bowman asked how curb extensions improve safety when drivers run stop signs; Cosa said curb extensions make pedestrians more visible by bringing them out beyond parked cars and physically prevent parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk. “Really, you don’t have a choice but to not park there if there’s a curb and a sidewalk there,” Cosa said.

Council members raised additional safety questions. Bowman and others asked the city to ask the consultant to evaluate other measures, including flashing stop signs; Cosa cautioned that past flashing signs had been vandalized but said the consultant’s report would examine additional countermeasures. Council member McKenna and others said they want the high-school frontage considered as a higher-priority location because the street there is wide and tends to encourage higher speeds.

Council member Clurgett moved to approve the contract; Council member Alpherds seconded. The clerk took a roll call and recorded unanimous approval.

The council’s action authorizes the design-phase contract only; Cosa said the next steps are survey work and completing design documents for future construction bidding. He described the work as “phase 1” of corridor improvements and noted the city is evaluating further projects for future TIB grant rounds.

The contract award and the scope described by staff follow a local road safety plan referenced by the public works department that prioritized pedestrian conflict points based on crash data. Cosa also noted prior temporary rubber curb islands installed at some locations would be replaced with permanent concrete curb extensions and formal sidewalk where appropriate.

Council members asked staff to ensure the consultant considers flashing stop signs and other speed-reduction measures in its analysis and to address drainage conflicts when curb alignments change. The council’s approval allows staff to finalize contract documents with Transpo Group and proceed with the design work.

The council took the vote at the June 23 meeting; construction bidding is targeted for spring 2026 pending design completion and funding for the construction phase.