Bunce Road rehab and related water funding draws strong public opposition and mixed council action

Lakewood City Council on Oct. 6 heard updates about the Bunce Road Rehabilitation project, a related lead service-line replacement plan and potential state and federal funding, and received extensive public comment — including a petition signed by more than 1,300 residents opposing the proposed multimodal path design.

Public Works Director Gordon briefed council on two related funding prospects. For lead service-line replacement, the city is pursuing up to $732,550 through the Water Supply Revolving Loan Account (WSRLA), which the director said includes 53% principal forgiveness for lead service-line work. Council adopted Resolution 20 25 52 authorizing city officials to apply for and accept a WSRLA agreement on behalf of the city for the 2026 lead service-line replacement project.

Separately, Director Gordon said the Bunce Road Rehabilitation project is seeking Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through ODOT; the program can fund up to 80% of eligible costs (he cited a federal funding maximum of $2,944,717) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Gordon said those funds are expected to be available in state fiscal year 2026 and emphasized that meeting milestone dates is crucial to securing the grant.

The council did not vote to accept the TAP grant at the meeting; staff asked council to receive and file the communication and to note the city’s intent to pursue the funds. Director Gordon told council he had not heard indications the federal funding was at risk, but acknowledged milestone compliance was required.

Public comment on Bunce Road was lengthy and sharply divided. Amy Herberger, who said she represents neighbors opposed to the current design, urged the council to pause the project and said the plan was rushed and lacked proper studies on tree canopy, root systems and long-term maintenance. “Removing mature trees and paving over unstable, decaying root systems isn’t just shortsighted, it’s dangerous,” she told council, and said roughly 1,400 residents had signed a petition opposing the proposed path.

Shannon Mortland told council the petition represented homeowner views and asked that the city “focus on needs not wants,” urging the council to remove the path option. Matt Herber warned council to monitor federal actions that have clawed back multimodal funding elsewhere and asked staff to ensure funding remains available. By contrast, resident Cassie Oregon praised the city’s active-transportation work and thanked the administration and schools for recent events promoting walking and biking.

Councilors and staff responded that the Bunce Road project is still in the planning and grant-application stage, that capital and operating implications would require more detail, and that some funding sources carry milestone and federal requirements. Several council members suggested continued engagement with residents, while Director Gordon and the administration asked for time to coordinate schedules and milestones with ODOT and other partners.

What passed at the meeting: council approved the WSRLA loan-application resolution (Resolution 20 25 52) to secure funding for lead service-line replacement and related work. The TAP grant communication concerning Bunce Road was received and filed for further consideration; no final council acceptance of TAP funds or final design decision occurred during the Oct. 6 meeting.

Next steps: staff said they will continue grant coordination and capital planning, and council members asked the administration to keep the public informed and to discuss project details in committee settings if needed.