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Committee forwards amended six‑year transportation plan to full council; adds Milwaukee Way railroad crossing
Summary
The Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee recommended sending the city’s amended 2025–2030 six‑year comprehensive transportation improvement program to the full City Council. Staff said the draft adds one project tied to a recent settlement and noted $64 million in unidentified city match across the proposed program.
The Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee voted April 23 to forward Tacoma’s amended 2025–2030 six‑year comprehensive transportation improvement program (CTIP) to the full City Council for consideration.
Jennifer Kammerzell, assistant division manager in Public Works, and Darius Thompson, assistant division manager for engineering, presented the final draft to the committee and reviewed proposed additions, removals and a timeline for council consideration. Kammerzell said the city must adopt and submit the six‑year program to the state by July 1 and that the plan is an implementation tool used by state and regional agencies for coordination and funding considerations.
Key additions and funding notes: Kammerzell said one project — the Milwaukee Way Railroad Crossing — was added to the draft as a result of a recent settlement and the city’s safety commitment. The current draft includes 18 proposed projects totaling about $126,000,000. Staff noted roughly $64,000,000 of city match still is unidentified; Kammerzell said typical grant matches range from about 12 percent to 20 percent and that the city’s primary sources for matching have been Streets Initiative funds and real estate excise tax (REET).
What’s included and limits: The six‑year program reflects capital projects (roadway reconstruction, bridges, non‑motorized facilities, sidewalks/trails and other capital projects) but does not include ordinary maintenance such as chip seal or pothole repair. Kammerzell reminded the committee that inclusion in the six‑year program does not guarantee funding or completion: projects in the first two years are more likely to be funded, while later years are often contingent on securing grants or other revenues.
Prioritization and outreach: Staff said projects proposed for the CTIP are drawn from the Transportation Mobility Plan (TMP) and associated plans (Vision Zero, Safe Routes to School, Climate Action Plan) and rely on a data‑driven prioritization that embeds an equity index. Kammerzell and Thompson said the department conducts outreach during planning and again during project design and construction, using neighborhood councils, email lists, postcards and multilingual engagement as appropriate.
Schedule and formal action: Staff outlined a schedule that would include a study session May 6, a public hearing set for June 3, first reading June 6 and adoption June 10 to meet the state’s July 1 submission deadline. Committee members asked staff to provide any proposed changes before the May study session; staff said there will be opportunities to amend the draft at study session or at first reading. A motion to forward the amended six‑year program to the full council was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Ending note: Kammerzell told the committee that any new revenue streams or projects tied to other initiatives (for example, projects that could be funded by automated enforcement revenue if that program is expanded) could be added in future annual updates to the six‑year program. Staff will return to the council with the public hearing and adoption calendar and with additional project details as requested.
