Kent says $17.9 million in transportation grants awarded; staff outlines 2026 priorities
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Summary
Transportation staff said the city secured about $17.9 million across seven projects in 2025 and previewed 2026 grant nominations including sidewalk and crossing projects, a shared‑use path and safe‑routes improvements; staff will update the Transportation Improvement Program and return with outreach in March.
David Payne, Kent’s transportation planner, told the council workshop that the city received about $17.9 million in grant awards for 2025 and outlined priorities and next steps for the 2026 grant cycle.
Payne listed seven awarded projects spanning preservation and new infrastructure: the South 212th Street Preservation Project; the final segment of the "Meet Me On Meeker" project from the Interurban trail to 6th Avenue South; Interurban Trail crossing improvements funded by the state legislature; the James Street Preservation project (the largest competitive award described); a Southeast 248th/116th roundabout project serving East Hill neighborhoods and schools; and several Safe Routes to School and bike/ped projects including improvements near Neely O'Brien Elementary. "It was a good year, for grant pursuits," Payne said.
Payne described the TIP update schedule: outreach and public engagement in March, draft updates in April and a public hearing and adoption expected in May. He also previewed potential 2026 applications: PSRC Transportation Alternatives pursuits for Willis Street sidewalk (SR 516 between Washington and the Naden property) and an enhanced crossing at 4th Avenue North and Harrison Street; and WSDOT pursuits for Reeth Road shared‑use path and school walk‑route improvements (extruded curbing to provide buffer on routes to elementary schools). He noted performance metrics staff will track, including a reported drop in the share of workers telecommuting (from 17% to 11%) and the city’s TIF collection falling short of its $3.2 million target for the year.
Payne said staff will post outreach materials online, brief boards and return to committee with project nominations in March and a fuller update before TIP adoption in May.
Provenance: Workshop presentation by David Payne SEG 1006: "David Payne, the city's transportation planner." Topic finish SEG 1411: "With that, we are adjourned until 07:00 for council meeting."