Redmond council reviews transportation master plan chapters; roundabout-first approach and micro-transit pilot highlighted

Redmond City Council members on Tuesday reviewed the street and transit chapters of the city’s Transportation Master Plan and heard staff describe a schedule that aims for adoption in Q1 2026.

The discussion focused on a “roundabout‑first” strategy informed by state guidance, curb‑space management that will address motorcycle and micromobility parking, a tree‑canopy preservation approach for public rights of way and transit priorities that include a potential micro‑transit shuttle and shared parking program linked to a regional mobility grant.

Carol Helen, director of Planning and Community Development, introduced the item and said the study session would focus on the transit and street chapters. Franchesca Liberty, the staff presenter, told the council the city remains on schedule for adoption in the first quarter of 2026. “We’re on track for TMP adoption in q 1 of 20 26,” Liberty said.

Nut graf: The chapters make several policy and project recommendations intended to guide near‑term advocacy and future capital decisions. Street recommendations emphasize safety and multimodal “layered” corridors and include a roundabout design update and tree preservation policies. Transit recommendations document Redmond’s priorities — including a state regional mobility grant proposal that would fund a micro‑transit shuttle pilot and a shared‑parking program — and identify candidate corridors for transit priority treatments.

On streets, staff described three core roundabout actions: update roundabout design guidance to incorporate best practices and accessibility; develop a process and feasibility criteria to compare roundabouts with other traffic control; and evaluate existing signal locations and new development triggers for potential roundabout installation. “Roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure that supports the safe system approach that is the basis of our adopted safer streets action plan,” Liberty said, citing a reduction in potential conflict points at roundabouts.

Council members asked how the plan balances complete‑streets goals with emergency response needs. Liberty said staff coordinated closely with the Fire Department and proposed context‑appropriate apparatuses, mountable curbs or set‑back stop bars, parking restrictions on priority routes and design choices that avoid traffic calming that would impede emergency vehicles.

Street plan staff also proposed actions to preserve and expand tree canopy in the public right of way, including using tools such as i‑Tree to assess tree value, adopting a street‑tree preservation policy for capital and development projects, evaluating tree‑moving equipment or training where relocation may be less costly than losing a mature tree and adding trees into the city’s asset management system.

On transit, Liberty noted Redmond’s regional mobility grant request was included “in the transportation package recently signed by the governor” and staff expect official notice in June. Liberty said the grant request would fund a micro‑transit shuttle in Education Hill plus a shared‑parking program that would make better use of underused private parking lots; staff plan to issue an RFP for a shuttle vendor later this summer. “Redmond’s grant request for the regional mobility grant was included in the transportation package recently signed by the governor. We anticipate receiving our official notification of the grant award in June,” she said.

Staff framed the shuttle as a pilot to demonstrate flexible transit and to support advocacy to King County Metro for future Metro Flex service areas. The transit chapter also proposes two types of mobility hubs — neighborhood hubs outside urban centers and regional hubs at light‑rail stations — and lists potential hub features such as bike storage, micro‑mobility, electric charging, wayfinding and retail amenities.

The transit chapter lists potential transit priority projects ranging from transit‑only lanes to transit signal priority and queue jumps. Staff identified candidate corridors — including Willows Road and Avondale Road for longer transit‑only segments and shorter transit‑priority crossings on Redmond Way — but said timelines depend on project scope and interagency partnerships.

Council Vice President Forsyth raised bus stop amenities and solar shelters for Metro stops. “Really appreciate that section in there because, yeah, they’re not great right now, and a lot of them don’t have shelters,” Forsyth said, and staff replied such infrastructure would require coordination with Metro. Council Member Fields asked whether the city should encourage trip‑planning apps and private sector partnerships; staff said transportation demand management (TDM) strategies and a TDM chapter are planned for fall council review.

Council Member Stewart described recent regional discussions that reinforced the safety and roundabout emphasis and said the roundabout materials answered her questions. Council Member Nueva Camino pressed for a definition and timeline for the shared‑parking idea; Liberty said staff will begin stakeholder discussions in June and that the shared‑parking pilot is intended to coincide with regional rail connections.

Staff told council the TMP process includes three more study sessions, followed by a public draft, Planning Commission public hearing and public engagement, all leading toward final adoption in early 2026. Staff also said they will return with a July study session focused on the pedestrian plan and the TDM chapter and will report community engagement feedback.

Ending: Council members expressed support for continued regional coordination, asked staff to return with implementation steps and timing, and were reminded that the TMP is being staged so the city can refine details and pursue pilots and grant funding before formal adoption.