Skagit County Public Works on Nov. 4 presented the draft 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program, a six‑year capital plan that staff said is required by state law and intended to coordinate county, state and federal transportation investments.

Tom Weller, county engineer, summarized the TIP’s legal basis and purpose, saying the plan draws on the county’s annual bridge report, crash‑data analyses, traffic counts and priority programming techniques. “We now have 40 projects on the proposed TIP,” Weller told the Board of County Commissioners, and staff said the list includes regionally significant federal and state funded projects as well as locally funded candidates.

Weller highlighted several carryover and upcoming projects that staff recommended tracking: near‑term design and construction funding for the Cook Road/I‑5 interchange (staff cited nearly $10,000,000 in federal grants awarded for improvements), multi‑segment reconstruction on Francis Road, and phased upgrades on Josh Wilson Road. He also described the county’s fish passage/culvert program, coordinated with tribal partners and projected for initial designs in 2026 with subsequent designs in 2027.

The presentation noted bridge and culvert inventory changes (staff cited an inventory increase from 110 to 112 bridges after adding Starbird Road and Cedardale Road) and explained how the county uses inspections and the highway capacity manual to assess level‑of‑service and prioritize projects. Weller said local road‑fund dollars are used to match federal grants and that, historically, the local road fund has covered about 60% of capital project expenses while federal grants covered roughly 40%.

Commissioners and staff discussed project timing and funding risk. On Marble Mountain Bridge, Weller said about $1,000,000 of a $10,000,000 construction contract had been spent and that seasonal work windows, coordination with the National Forest Service and contractor scheduling make an October 2026 completion plausible. He also cautioned that extended federal funding delays can cascade and push later phases beyond the six‑year horizon.

A member of the public asked jurisdictional questions about College Way (a state highway); staff referred that question to the Washington State Department of Transportation contact. The presentation closed by noting the TIP and supporting reports are posted on the Skagit County Public Works engineering webpage and that staff had received seven written public comments during the advertised comment period.

The board moved and seconded to close the TIP public hearing; the motion carried by voice vote. Commissioners said adoption would be scheduled for a future meeting, likely in December, after staff incorporates comments and prepares an adoption recommendation.

The county’s TIP materials and the list of public comments are posted on the Public Works transportation programs webpage for review; additional amendments can be made during the year as federal and state funding is awarded.