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Superintendent: Zehr-to-high-school sidewalk project unlikely to get biennium funding after DOT ranks it 85 of 108
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Finch told the board the city-submitted Safe Routes to School application to extend sidewalks along Zehr to the high school is estimated at $1,477,000 and was ranked 85 of 108 by Washington State DOT, leaving it unlikely to be funded in the next biennium.
During the Jan. 14 meeting the West Valley School District superintendent updated trustees on a Safe Routes to School grant application, saying the city submitted the project in partnership with the county to create sidewalks and gutters from the junior high campus on Zehr up to the high school.
"The estimated project cost is $1,477,000," Dr. Finch said. He told trustees the Washington State Department of Transportation collected 108 applications statewide, produced a priority list and ranked this project 85th. The department anticipates funding the top 32 projects in the upcoming biennium — a funding pool Dr. Finch said would be about $54 million against total requests of roughly $164 million.
Dr. Finch said the ranking means the Zehr-to-high-school project is unlikely to receive funding in the next biennium, though the district will continue to advocate with local legislators and consider other funding avenues. The city led the application process and listed the county as a partner, Dr. Finch said.
When trustees asked whether rankings carry forward, Dr. Finch clarified that each round involves a new pool of applications and a fresh priority list, and that criteria include safety data (including accident history) as well as geographic representation.
Dr. Finch also noted Representative Corey had successfully advocated for sidewalk work on 88th (Apple Valley Elementary area) in the previous legislative session; that project is scheduled for construction this summer.
The board did not take action on the item; trustees were advised the district will continue advocacy and look for alternate funding sources.
