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DPW&T FY26 CIP highlights transit and paving priorities; council presses on fares, electric buses and outreach
Summary
The Department of Public Works and Transportation presented an approximately $112 million proposed FY26 capital improvement program on May 6 and answered council questions on transit, paving priorities and street services.
The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) presented an approximately $112 million proposed FY26 capital improvement program on May 6 and answered council questions on transit, paving priorities and street services.
Budget staff said the DPW&T CIP includes funding for 53 projects, with one new project—sidewalk infill and repair—proposed at $3,000,000 and $44.1 million allocated to four stormwater project management efforts covered earlier by the Department of the Environment.
Director Johnson and DPW&T staff addressed council questions about transit and operations. Councilmember Bowles asked about expanding bus shelters; DPW&T said that remains possible. Councilmember Watson asked for a timeline for the transit vision plan; DPW&T said a draft vision exists and staff hoped to complete it by June. On fares, council members discussed prior analysis showing collection costs sometimes exceed fare revenue; DPW&T said further budget discussions would follow.
Councilmembers also discussed street sweeping pilots. DPW&T said phase 2 of the sweeping program is underway, including alternate-side parking pilots in higher-density districts; staff reported complaints dropped after adjustments. On road paving, DPW&T clarified that repaving costs are driven by mileage and road length rather than equal per-district allocations and said the agency aims to raise the overall PCI (pavement condition index) countywide.
Members asked about the electric bus fleet. DPW&T said the county has purchased 12 electric buses and plans to expand purchases but noted market volatility. Director Johnson said the county aims to diversify manufacturers after supply problems and a vendor bankruptcy affected prior purchases. Councilmembers and DPW&T staff also described ongoing work with the school system to coordinate charging infrastructure; DPW&T said school and transit buses use different charger levels and that coordination is ongoing.
DPW&T staff said they would provide councilmembers a breakdown of curb and gutter and repaving projects by district, maps of project locations, and additional timeline updates for projects such as Rhode Island Avenue reconstruction and public outreach meetings.
No formal vote occurred during the presentation. DPW&T said it will continue working with other county agencies to align transit charging, fare decisions and paving priorities with council requests.
