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City staff previews 2026–2031 transportation improvement plan; public hearing set for June 11
Summary
Mount Vernon staff reviewed the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), explained fiscal constraints and project phasing, and scheduled a June 11 public hearing with anticipated adoption June 25; council discussed pedestrian crosswalks, Broad Street realignment, roundabouts, and Urban Avenue.
Mount Vernon staff presented a review of the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) at the May 28 council meeting and asked council to advertise a public hearing for June 11. The staff presentation described the TIP as a state‑required, city‑specific six‑year work plan that lists projects, studies and annual transportation programs.
Public Works Capital Projects manager Frank Reiner summarized TIP rules and practices, saying the TIP is “a 6 year work plan” required by state RCW, that year one is used to shape the capital improvement program and budget, and that the TIP should be fiscally constrained. Reiner explained typical project phases—planning, preliminary engineering/design, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction—and said some projects are “unprogrammed” when they do not fit the six‑year window.
Reiner noted the draft TIP documents are on the city website, that the first advertisement ran in the local paper, and that staff anticipates recommending final adoption at the June 25 meeting following public comments on June 11. He also said he added an unprogrammed table to keep visible projects that may belong in a longer‑range plan.
Councilmembers used the review to highlight specific locations. Councilmember Vanderstu thanked staff that the Hogue Road and Tenth Street crosswalk improvements are included; the council noted those came from citizen traffic‑safety requests. Councilmember Vanderstu and others discussed the Broad Street realignment as an expensive, currently unprogrammed project because of grade and retaining‑wall implications.
Several councilmembers discussed alternatives for signalized intersections—including roundabouts—at proposed sites such as Thirteenth Street and LaVenture and noted that the comprehensive plan and public outreach would be appropriate venues to evaluate roundabouts versus signals. Reiner said signal and roundabout cost estimates can be similar and that the comprehensive plan update is an opportunity to consider roundabouts as a strategic alternative.
Councilmember Beaton asked why Urban Avenue (Behoag to College Way) was not in the TIP; Reiner said the street’s inclusion depends on land‑use decisions and potential rezoning in the comprehensive‑plan update. Beaton and other members also asked about utility contractors (PUD) leaving sidewalks unrepaired; Reiner encouraged residents to report issues to the utility and to the city so staff can follow up.
No council action was taken; staff requested authorization to advertise the June 11 public hearing and indicated a goal to return with a final TIP for adoption on June 25.
