City transportation planner presents 2026–2031 TIP additions; council to hold public hearing May 20

Kent — David Payne, city transportation planner, briefed the council on the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the outreach and projects staff recommends adding to the TIP. Council will receive the TIP for a public hearing at city council on May 20.

What’s complete: Payne summarized five notable projects completed in the last year, including pavement and pedestrian improvements on Second Avenue Southeast (phase 4), the East Valley Highway preservation project, a compact roundabout at 108th SE and SE 260th, road diets along Smith and Fourth Avenue, and an RRFB‑enhanced crosswalk on 104th Avenue SE. Payne said the completed projects represented approximately $4,700,000 in grants and $2,700,000 in local funds, for roughly $7.4 million in total delivery.

Proposed additions: Payne summarized six projects staff recommends adding to the TIP this cycle. Key items include: - A BNSF railway corridor crossing safety study (partnership with BNSF, Sound Transit, Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration) to scope needs and alternatives for eight downtown Kent crossings. - Two pedestrian hybrid beacons on Pacific Highway (one near 240th and another in the 25,000 block near South 250th) for which the council has already accepted grant awards and which are in design. - A multimodal Wreath Road extension project to connect recent improvements on 250 Ninth Place up to Military Road between 30 Eighth Avenue and Military. - A sidewalk‑gap priority on Military Road South between South 270th Street and 260th Drive (including an enhanced crosswalk at 260th and an associated full‑section reconstruction recommendation) identified through a technical analysis that weighted safety, equity, connections and public input equally.

Regional coordination and outreach: Payne said staff coordinates with Kent School District, the Bicycle Advisory Board, the Land Use and Planning Board, King County Metro and regional fire authority partners. He described outreach materials available at Kent Commons and online at engage.kentwa.gov, and said staff will continue public outreach and hold the May 20 public hearing before adoption.

Funding posture and timing: Payne said the city remains optimistic about state and regional funding availability and that delivering projects promptly can improve competitiveness for grants. The BNSF crossing study is in early scoping with the FRA.

Next steps: Staff will present the draft TIP at the May 20 council hearing and then return for adoption following the public hearing process.

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