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Committee prioritizes Route 140 bridge match, Elm–Pearson signal design and TIP list projects
Summary
Gardner City staff asked the committee to prioritize FY26 match funding for Route 140 bridge design, design funding for Elm–Pearson traffic-signal replacement, and inclusion of state TIP-list design projects; the committee agreed to recommend those items.
City engineering and transportation requests for FY26 drew committee support on April 16 for a mix of locally funded design matches and TIP-list opportunities.
Route 140 bridge: staff explained they have a design grant request underway for the Route 140 bridge and asked the city to provide a $75,000 local match for FY26 to continue the project’s design. The presenter described this as a high-priority, ongoing project and asked the committee to include the match to keep the schedule moving.
Elm and Pearson traffic signals: the committee reviewed a $125,000 design estimate for Elm–Pearson signal replacement. City staff said the current traffic-signal infrastructure is outdated, causes recurring outages typically when it rains, and the $125,000 is based on a traffic consultant’s quote. Staff listed signal design as a high-priority need for FY26; construction funding would follow in FY27.
TIP list design projects: staff noted the city maintains a TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) project list that, when properly designed and nominated, becomes eligible for state-funded construction. Committee members supported keeping design money on the list to pursue state construction funding when available.
Why it matters: the Route 140 bridge and Elm–Pearson signal work affect travel reliability and safety; prioritizing local design funds preserves eligibility for larger state or federal construction grants.
Next steps: the committee agreed to include the Route 140 match, Elm–Pearson design and TIP-list design funding among the FY26 recommended priorities and asked staff to note the likely need for phased funding and grant coordination in the final report.
