Richland council amends transportation plan, adopts housing plans and approves city manager contract amendment

The Richland City Council unanimously approved several resolutions and consent items during its January 2025 meeting, moving forward a slate of transportation safety projects, accepting federal housing-planning grants and authorizing an amendment to the city manager's employment contract.

At the top of the agenda, the council approved Resolution No. 2025‑14, which amends the city's six‑year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to reflect recent grant awards and to move projects from planned to secured funding. The amendment adds projects including asphalt overlay pavement preservation on South George Washington Way; sidewalk improvements on the east side of George Washington Way between Comstock and Bradley; a Systemic Stop-Controlled Intersection Safety Improvements project (roundabouts, pavement markings and signing at intersections including Canyon Street, Belle Reve, Thayer Drive and Simons); and a grouped package of improvements in the Duperitale corridor (intersection widenings, two roundabouts and medians to reduce conflict points for driveways connected to new development).

Carlo D'Alessandro, who presented the TIP amendments to council, said the changes were driven by recent grant success and that the city will submit the amendment to the metropolitan planning organization so the state can release awarded funds. Council discussion was supportive; the item passed with no opposition.

The council also…