Medical Lake council backs restriping of SR‑902, approves TIB/GRAMA funding agreement
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Summary
The City Council approved a funding agreement to advance a restriping and corridor-safety project on State Route 902 (Lake/Fay Street). Staff and engineers described a center turn lane, protected bike lanes, resin-bonded crosswalk treatments and a summer construction window of roughly 30–45 working days.
The Medical Lake City Council voted to approve a funding agreement to move ahead with a corridor restriping and safety project on State Route 902, commonly referred to in briefing materials as the Lake/Fay Street improvements.
City staff and consulting engineers said the project aims to reduce speeds and near‑misses by narrowing vehicle travel lanes, adding a center left‑turn lane and installing parking‑protected bike lanes separated by tubular delineators and a buffer. Engineer Tom Haggerty described a change in lane geometry and materials choices: "The new speed limit will be 25 miles an hour," Haggerty said, and intersections will be surfaced with resin‑bonded material and grooved plastic lines to preserve striping in high‑turn areas.
Staff noted the project continues an earlier streetscape effort that added sidewalks and pedestrian lighting. The design includes radar speed signs at the corridor ends, a textured, darker resin finish at key intersections and tubular delineators set into the pavement. Haggerty said the plan narrows standard travel lanes to encourage traffic calming and provides a center turn lane to reduce queuing caused by left turns.
Council and staff addressed operations and maintenance concerns. The presentation explained delineators are designed to be struck and to snap back and that the city will arrange a maintenance agreement with the state for routine straight-line striping; staff said resin‑bonded surface areas are easier to maintain than annual paint striping. Construction timing was described as a summer effort requiring roughly 30–45 working days, with the most intensive work concentrated at the south end of the corridor where roadway widening is needed.
Council also approved Resolution 2691, a GRAMA/TIB funding agreement that, according to staff briefing, will help cover project costs. Council discussion noted coordination with the school district for bus times and with WSDOT for technical approvals. Staff said public outreach and final WSDOT channelization approval remain outstanding steps.
The council passed the funding agreement by motion during the meeting. Next steps include final WSDOT approval of the channelization plan, executing the funding agreement, and scheduling construction when weather and contractor availability permit.
