City advances Vision Zero planning and design work on I-140 pedestrian bridge; mix of grants will fund design

City staff told the council the city secured a $230,000 Safe Streets and For All grant from the Federal Highway Administration to develop a Vision Zero policy and a safety action plan, and to fund demonstration and outreach activities. Speaker 3 said consultant Kimberly Horn has begun work and the city will form a Vision Zero action committee of residents, staff and elected officials to draft policy and conduct public outreach.

On the I-140 pedestrian bridge, Speaker 3 said the project is a TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) item and the city "just this week got notice to proceed" from match-trails funding to complete 100% design. Staff described the design package moving to state review, with construction still planned in 2027. Speaker 3 cited an approximate project construction estimate of "$78,000,000" and said the city may later request funds from the mayor and council for right-of-way or takings.

Funding detail: Speaker 3 told the meeting the match-trails award for the bridge is about $205,000 from the state with "just over $51,000" of city match; separately, the Safe Streets FHWA grant was listed at $230,000 and the speaker said the Safe Streets project is fully grant funded without a city match.

Why it matters: Vision Zero planning could shape future street designs, prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle safety; the I-140 bridge represents a multi-million-dollar regional infrastructure project with ongoing permitting and land-ownership questions that may require future council action.

Next steps: staff will complete environmental permitting and 100% design, form the Vision Zero action committee and return to council for right-of-way funding decisions if needed.

Sources: remarks by Speaker 3 during the meeting.