Kent Council adopts 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program

The Kent City Council on May 20 adopted Resolution No. 2088, approving the city's six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2026 through 2031.

City transportation planner David Payne presented the TIP, describing the six-year cycle and outreach that informed the update. Payne said the TIP will cover the 2026'2031 period and described the process for moving projects from plans into a six-year window to pursue grant funding and project development.

The presentation listed six proposed additions to the TIP, including a BNSF Railway Corridor crossing safety study funded in part by a Federal Railroad Administration Reconnecting Communities grant and local matches from Sound Transit and Amtrak; pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) safety projects on Pacific Highway (SR 99); multimodal connections on Reath Road; and a continuous pedestrian facility on Military Road South. Payne summarized earlier projects removed from the TIP because they were completed, including pedestrian improvements on 132nd Avenue Southeast and preservation work on East Valley Highway.

Mayor Dana Ralph opened the public hearing on the TIP and invited public testimony; the clerk reported no sign-ups and no written testimony was received. Council members had no substantive questions during the hearing. Council President Coore moved to adopt Resolution No. 2088; a second was offered and the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Council member Fincher expressed support: "I love everything in there, especially that last slide," and noted the work would take years to complete.

The adopted TIP now provides the city an approved, six-year project table to pursue grants and begin project development on the listed transportation and safety projects. Staff will proceed with grant applications and project-level planning as funding and schedules allow.