Kennewick officials on Jan. 7 asked state legislators to support two transportation funding requests: a $300,000 study to evaluate at‑grade rail crossings for potential grade separation and roughly $14.7 million for construction on Columbia Central Boulevard to add lanes and turn capacity.

John Cowling, Kennewick public works director, told visiting legislators the city has 10 at‑grade crossings in downtown and two in central Kennewick that can produce delays exceeding 20 minutes and impede emergency response. He said the study would identify at least one downtown crossing and one central crossing to analyze for grade separation, including feasibility and property impacts.

On the corridor project, Cowling said design and right‑of‑way work is underway and roughly 30% complete. The construction request — about $14.7 million — would add an additional northbound and southbound lane on Columbia Central Boulevard between Quinault and Deschutes streets and provide additional left‑turn capacity at intersections within that section. The corridor is the city’s busiest north‑south route, serving the Columbia Center Mall, Costco and the convention center; staff cited average daily traffic of about 40,000 vehicles.

Council members and regional officials discussed likely study priorities for crossings: Edison and Fruitland and a central crossing near Kamiakin High School emerged as early focal points because of traffic patterns and school access. Cowling and council members said the study will identify locations and property impacts and that the city will coordinate with the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCOG) and neighboring jurisdictions on regional prioritization for state grant competitiveness.

Legislators and staff urged framing the requests to the capital budget committee as “finishing projects” when possible — noting the state capital writers place emphasis on projects with prior state investments; staff said the Columbia Park boat launch design funded by RCO helps that framing. City staff also asked legislators to coordinate advocacy in both chambers to maximize success during the short session.