Richland planning commission recommends 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program to city council

The Richland Planning Commission on May 28 voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program, following a presentation by Carlo D'Alessandro, Richland's public works director.

The recommendation, made by motion and approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded, sends the six-year list of prioritized transportation projects to the Ben Franklin Council of Governments and, ultimately, the Washington State Department of Transportation for inclusion in regional and statewide programming.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) catalogs project descriptions, planned start years and phases (preliminary engineering, right-of-way and construction) and funding status for roughly 40 projects the city has prioritized. D'Alessandro told commissioners staff’s recommendation was “to approve the TIP as presented.”

Why it matters: the TIP is the document cities submit to the MPO so projects can be considered for state and federal funds and so the city can obligate grant awards or state allocations during the six-year window.

What the TIP includes and funding status - Several large projects have partial or secured funding: the downtown connectivity improvements (the “couplet”) carries about $18 million in federal funds pending a contract with the Federal Highway Administration; the SR 240 Airport Way pedestrian crossing has $5 million programmed from the legislature under the Move Ahead Washington bill but remains only partially funded; and a Safe Routes to School package recently received $3 million from the legislature to serve five elementary schools. - Local projects added this year include George Washington Way sidewalk improvements and a George Washington Way pavement-preservation project; D'Alessandro said the sidewalk work received roughly $1 million from the Transportation Improvement Board for slope stabilization and a widened eight-foot path. - Some projects on the TIP are developer-driven and required by the city’s transportation impact fee program. Projects that enter construction are removed from subsequent TIP lists even if construction continues after the listed year.

Funding gaps and risks Commissioners pressed staff on funding and schedule risks. D'Alessandro said the SR 240 Aaron interchange — a priority project — still needs about $36 million for construction. He described downtown connectivity as largely designed (about 60–70 percent complete), with environmental work and right-of-way activities under way, but noted federal contract-signing pauses under the new federal administration have delayed obligating some funds.

On funding program risks, D'Alessandro said the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant previously carried some policy conditions that have been removed in later versions of the funding guidance, and that previously announced programs such as the Carbon Reduction Program will not endanger awards already made. He cautioned that some projects might ultimately be funded by different sources than originally anticipated.

Key project notes raised in discussion - Downtown connectivity (one-way couplet proposal): Commissioners and Council member Van Dyke emphasized an intensive public-engagement program during final design to address business access and construction impacts. Staff said a communications consultant will support outreach, including open houses and direct contacts to affected businesses and employers. - SR 240 Airport Way pedestrian crossing: D'Alessandro said WSDOT began design but ran out of money to complete the full structure; the $5 million from the legislature covers roughly half the project and additional funds or grants are needed to finish the crossing. - Dallas Road / I-82 interchange-area improvements: D'Alessandro said the corridor is in county jurisdiction and WSDOT is negotiating with a developer; any WSDOT-driven project would likely be implemented by WSDOT with developer contributions and the city’s impact-fee proceeds applied as stipulated. - Systemic pedestrian crossing and stop-controlled intersection safety improvements: funded phases include rapid-flashing beacons and several mini-roundabouts in Central Richland; additional phases are planned for other high-crash intersections.

Next steps and formal action The planning commission’s recommendation moves the TIP to the City Council, which will hold a public hearing and is expected to act before the June 30 submission deadline to the Ben Franklin Council of Governments and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The commission’s motion to recommend adoption passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Quotes "The recommendation from staff is to approve the TIP as presented," Carlo D'Alessandro said during the presentation. "We need $36,000,000 to do construction at SR 240 Aaron," D'Alessandro told commissioners when asked about outstanding funding needs.

Taper Commissioners praised the variety of projects and asked staff to continue one-on-one briefings for commissioners who seek additional technical detail. Council member Van Dyke and staff noted the TIP aligns with council strategic priorities and concurrent updates to the comprehensive plan, parks master plan and transportation system plan.