Monroe City Council adopts 2025–2030 six‑year transportation plan

Monroe City Council on Tuesday adopted a six‑year Transportation Improvement Program covering 2025–2030, approving Resolution 2025‑002 after a public hearing and staff presentation.

The plan lists prioritized street maintenance and capital projects and describes funding sources and design work needed before construction. "Tonight is a public hearing for our proposed 6 year transportation improvement plan," city staff member Scott Peterson said while opening the staff report.

The TIP includes the city’s annual paving program, sidewalk gap‑fill projects, signal work at 147th Street and other intersection improvements, and illumination for Frieland’s Trail. Peterson told the council that the 147th signal is moving toward construction and that a contractor has been awarded; the city is now procuring materials such as signal poles. Peterson also said Oak Street is in earlier phases — design funds are available but additional right‑of‑way purchases will likely be required and construction could be several years out.

Peterson and council members emphasized that many Monroe projects depend on external funding. "Most of our transportation projects rely on other people's money," Peterson said, citing competitive state and federal grants and naming the Puget Sound Regional Council and the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) as typical funding partners. He warned that unsuccessful grant applications can delay projects.

Council Member Scarborough asked whether the 147th signal and the Oak Street/Turning Way signal are dependent on grants; Peterson replied that both have grant dependencies but said the 147th project already has a contractor under contract while Oak Street still requires design and likely right‑of‑way acquisition. Council Member Walker asked about the Chain Lake corridor and whether the plan anticipates widening to improve capacity; staff said the concept and prior comp‑plan analyses inform that listing but final design could change project scope.

No members of the public signed up to speak during the hearing. After deliberation Council Member Beaumont moved to adopt Resolution 2025‑002, Council Member Fulcher seconded, and the council voted to adopt the plan. The motion passed 6–0; Council Member Fisher was momentarily out of chambers and did not cast a vote on this matter, the record shows.

The adopted TIP must be filed with the state within 30 days and be consistent with the city’s comprehensive and capital facilities plans, Peterson said. Several projects listed for later years were noted as contingent on securing grant awards, and staff said projects farther out in the six‑year window are more tentative.

The council did not ask to delay adoption and directed staff to proceed with the filing and follow up tasks identified in the agenda bill.

Ending: The TIP adoption establishes the city’s prioritized capital transportation work for the next six years and positions staff to pursue the listed competitive grants and procurement steps; projects with secured funding will be brought forward for design and construction as materials and right‑of‑way needs are confirmed.