Sumner holds public hearing on 2026–2031 six‑year transportation improvement program; Stewart Road bridge, Hops Alley highlighted

The Sumner City Council opened and closed a public hearing on Feb. 3 for the 2026–2031 six‑year transportation improvement program (TIP), with staff outlining project timing and several members of the public offering comments and questions.

Courtney Lottrell, assistant engineering manager, summarized the TIP and said state law requires the city to update the six‑year TIP annually and file the approved plan with the state Department of Transportation. Lottrell highlighted several projects: the Stewart Road bridge replacement, with construction anticipated to begin in March; the Washington Street preservation project, currently in design with construction expected in early 2026; and Hops Alley, with construction anticipated this spring.

During the public-comment portion tied to the hearing, several residents raised funding and traffic-safety concerns. Randall Adams recommended the council reconsider a 0.1 percentage‑point sales‑tax increase, saying, based on his estimate, it could generate about $800,000 for projects and would still keep the city's rate below nearby cities. Nick Newman asked where a detailed breakdown of the city's accepted $2,920,000 LTAC grant for Hops Alley can be found; Lottrell and staff directed him to project resources but the TIP hearing record does not include a line‑by‑line budget in the presentation. Resident Casey Henderson urged the city to prioritize speed‑bumps and other traffic-calming on the Block C connection (160 Second to 160 Fourth Ave Court East), saying local residents have experienced frequent speeding since nearby Sumner Mill Apartments opened.

Mayor and staff closed the hearing at 6:11 p.m.; Lottrell and staff noted the TIP will return to council for further action at a later date.