City staff presented a draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program to the Covington City Council on May 13 and asked council for guidance on funding priorities and next steps for several ongoing projects, including a newly added pedestrian-safety project.

The draft TIP shows project maps and a prioritization list; Bob Linscough, the city staff member leading the presentation, told council “this draft map should look quite familiar” and summarized recent completions and remaining work. He said the City accepted construction on parts of the Covington Connector and that paving for the Lake Pointe Boulevard CIP portion would begin next Monday, though the roadway opening date was “yet to be determined.”

The presentation outlined several active projects: remaining work on the Jenkins Creek construction project (installation of a fish-passable culvert and driveway paving), the SR 516 widening (from 180 Fifth to 190 Second Avenue Southeast) at about 70% design, and the SR 516/Covington Way project at about 50% design. Linscough reported the city “was awarded around 5,000,000 in transportation improvement funds for right away in construction” but that staff are “looking for construction funding source to backfills the city match of nearly $6,000,000.”

Why it matters: the TIP sets the city’s short-term capital priorities and identifies which projects will seek grants or local match. Council members asked how federal and state budget cuts could affect grant availability and whether projects would be delayed if funding fell through. Staff response was that design and right-of-way work is mostly secured, but some construction funding still must be obtained and, if needed, projects would be pushed into later years.

Council members also asked whether locally planned elements — notably a proposed Covington Way roundabout — should proceed if adjacent state-led roundabout projects are scaled back. Staff said the Covington Way roundabout design does show benefits even if some other roundabouts are not built: “there’s a slight improvement with the Covington Way roundabout…and even more improvement when you install the other 4,” staff said.

During the SEPA process staff noted the Duwamish Tribe submitted comments requesting an inadvertent discovery plan for archaeological resources on several projects; staff said they will incorporate that consultation into project delivery steps. No public commenters spoke during the TIP hearing; the public hearing was opened and closed without testimony.

Next steps and council direction: staff asked whether council wanted additional information; council members requested continued outreach and updates on funding status and potential archaeological mitigation steps. Staff said they expect to return with requests for additional funds where necessary (for example to finish Jenkins Creek work) and to keep the council apprised if grant matches cannot be secured and projects must be delayed.

All statements in this article are drawn from the council meeting staff report and the public hearing presentation on May 13, 2025.