Lewiston approves TAP grant for 8th Street pedestrian improvements

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously Nov. 10 to approve Resolution 2025‑50, a state‑local agreement accepting a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to fund pedestrian improvements on 8th Street between 5th and 11th Avenues.

Dustin Johnson, Lewiston public works director, told the council the TAP grant is focused on nonvehicular facilities such as sidewalks and pedestrian connections to schools, downtown and parks. "This is a great segue into next month's work session," Johnson said, noting the project fills gaps left by a separate lighting grant and that the city’s local match is 7.34 percent while the grant would cover roughly 92.66 percent.

The council approved the resolution on a motion by Counselor Schroeder, seconded by Counselor Forsman, with members registering unanimous ayes. Johnson told the council the packet contains engineer estimates and that actual costs will be refined through design and inspection; any overages would be handled under the parameters of the grant and the local 7.34% match.

Why it matters: The improvements aim to make a corridor with poles, retaining walls and constrained sidewalks safer and more accessible for pedestrians, including residents who use the adjacent commercial and school facilities. The project will enter the city’s capital improvement planning process and proceed to engineering and design before construction.

Next steps: Johnson said staff will present additional details in the December work session when the city discusses its transportation capital improvement plan and project priorities.