Auburn City Council authorized a $698,700 contract with Kimberly Horne Associates on Dec. 16 to conduct a citywide traffic study, with recommendations for the downtown (urban core) and Urban Neighborhood West given priority on an accelerated schedule.

Staff said data collection will begin during Auburn University’s spring semester and that the consultant will aim to deliver recommendations for the two accelerated neighborhoods within six months of contract signature. “We will be collecting all of that data during the Auburn University spring semester timeline… The goal of this is to have those two areas analyzed and recommendations made within 6 months of signatures on the contract,” a staff member said. At the same time, staff cautioned that implementation of recommendations — which could include zoning changes or right‑of‑way work — will likely require additional steps and take longer than the study timeline.

Council discussed the firm selection process and cost. Staff said the project budget ceiling was set at $750,000 and the contract is under that amount; council members noted prior citywide traffic work cost about $500,000 and took roughly two years from start to finish. Staff estimated about 66% of prior study recommendations have been completed. Council emphasized stakeholder engagement in the new study and asked that staff prioritize the highest‑need corridors, including areas affected by new development such as the site of a planned high school.

The motion to approve the Kimberly Horne contract carried by voice vote; staff will report back with data collection plans and subsequent recommendations.