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Moscow approves MOU with Whitman County to pursue federal BUILD truck-route grant
Summary
The council authorized an MOU to make Moscow the contracting entity for a joint BUILD grant application to study and design truck-route improvements (Sand/Kirkendall); city share of application prep is roughly $13,500 of a $45,000 task, and the estimated total project cost is about $18.9 million.
The Moscow City Council voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with Whitman County to pursue a U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant for improvements to the Sand and Kirkendall corridor and related East—West freight alternatives.
City staff explained the action would allow the city to act as the contracting entity for engineering consultant Welch Comer to prepare the grant application and the required benefit-cost analysis. The MOU covers grant-preparation work with a task order not to exceed approximately $45,000; Whitman County would reimburse 70 percent while the city would cover about 30 percent (roughly $13,500). Staff emphasized the MOU covers grant-preparation work only and does not bind either jurisdiction to construction funding.
Staff summarized the freight-alternative study that identified three preferred alternatives—an Albion connection, near-term Bishop Boulevard improvements and the Sand/Kirkendall route—and said this project could reduce heavy truck traffic through downtown Pullman and produce benefits for the Moscow area. The total project cost estimate presented was about $18.9 million, with an estimated Moscow-side portion of roughly $5.6 million for potential future construction; staff noted rural BUILD awards can be up to 100% federal share but that project competitiveness often includes a local match.
Council discussion covered the expected timeline (NOFA/application in January; possible award notice late summer), potential local match for design and construction, how the corridor would be improved (signals, intersection changes and roadway reconstruction) and the city's relationship with the consultant; staff said Welch Comer performed the freight-alternative study and would contract with an established financial consultant for benefit-cost analysis. The motion to approve the MOU passed unanimously.
