Port Townsend adopts 2026 Local Road Safety Plan, authorizes grant applications for seven projects

The Port Townsend City Council voted unanimously to adopt the city's 2026 Local Road Safety Plan and to authorize the city manager to apply for prioritized projects under three grant programs: the City Safety Program, the Pedestrian/Bicycle Program and Safe Routes to School.

City engineer Dave Dincoon presented seven proposed projects staff would pursue with grant requests, including ADA-compliant crossings and curb ramps at 12th Street and Landis (Safeway block), a sidewalk gap closure on Lawrence Street, bus-stop and crossing improvements on Monroe, Sheridan connections to the hospital and residential neighborhoods, a Discovery Road sidewalk segment, and a challenging Blaine Street safe-routes project near the high school. Dincoon said the plan is evaluated on a two-year cycle and that the grants have staggered application deadlines in the coming months.

Council members asked about parking impacts, raised-crosswalk and beacon locations and stormwater fixes; many members prioritized projects that address high pedestrian traffic near the hospital and transit hubs. One council member said filling the Lawrence/Safe Routes gap and improving crossings near the high school were high priorities.

The motions to adopt the safety plan and to authorize grant applications passed on voice votes with no opposition. Staff will proceed with grant submissions and return to council with award notifications and recommended project prioritization as awards arrive.