The Edmonds City Council opened a public hearing June 3 on the city’s proposed 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). City engineers presented completed 2025 work, project schedules and recently secured grants, then took public comment.

Transportation staff said the TIP responds to the city’s recently adopted transportation plan and is financially constrained for the first year. Acting City Engineer Mike Delilah introduced transportation engineer Bertrand House, who outlined current projects, grant awards and design schedules through 2031.

Key near-term projects described by staff: the annual overlay program—about 3.5 lane miles scheduled for completion in July with roughly $1.6 million in funding plus $200,000 for utilities; Main Street overlay and curb-ramp upgrades; and an upcoming citywide lighting improvement project funded entirely by a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant, about $700,000. Staff said the city secured federal and TIB grants for projects including the Olympic View Drive overlay (federal grant $700,000 with $200,000 local match) and curb-ramp upgrades on Seventh Avenue (roughly $330,000 TIB, $92,000 local match from REET funds). A multi-year adaptive signal system and several multiuse path projects were also listed in the TIP.

Public comment focused on pedestrian safety. Walnut Street resident Frank Leonetti urged the council to add continuous sidewalks and traffic-calming measures between Sixth and Seventh avenues, saying that stretch lacks sidewalks and forces pedestrians into the travel lane. Leonetti said Walnut operates as a de facto arterial through downtown and described specific safety risks for residents and visitors.

Why it matters: The TIP sets priority transportation projects for the city’s six-year horizon and identifies grant-funded work that will be scheduled, designed or constructed. Several projects (lighting, overlays, ADA curb ramps, adaptive signal systems and a safety-action plan) are grant-dependent but have secured funding, staff said.

Staff emphasized next steps: after the public hearing the council will consider final approval at an upcoming meeting; design work, right-of-way or construction schedules vary by project and grant requirements. Staff noted federal and state grant conditions may require local matching funds and schedule adjustments, and that some projects in earlier TIP drafts were removed under new prioritization criteria.

What was not decided: The council did not take final action on the TIP at the June 3 meeting; staff said the council would be asked to approve the TIP at a subsequent meeting after public hearing closure and any edits.

Project and grant highlights (from staff presentation): annual overlay program ~3.5 lane miles ($1.6M + $200K utilities), Main Street overlay and curb ramps (recently completed), federal grant $675,000 for overlay work, TIB grants for curb ramps ~ $330,000, HSIP lighting grant $700,000, Seventh Avenue improvements and mid‑block crossing enhancements ($4.9M total project award reported), traffic calming speed studies under way for 8–9 stretches and a safety-action plan initiated.