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Everett council adopts 2026 pavement maintenance overlay; bicyclists press for bike-lane changes during paving
Summary
The Everett City Council adopted an ordinance creating a 2026 pavement maintenance overlay fund and authorized bids for the overlay project; a longtime cyclist urged the council to use paving opportunities to add or restripe bike lanes and review the Bicycle Master Plan.
The Everett City Council on March 4 adopted an ordinance establishing a special improvement project for the 2026 pavement maintenance overlay (Fund 303, Program 138) and authorized a call for bids for the 2026 overlay program.
Council took the third-and-final reading on Council Bill 2602-09 and adopted the ordinance by roll call. The clerk recorded unanimous affirmative votes by Council Member Zarlingo, Council Member Tui, Council Member Weir, Council Member Bader, Vice President Ryan and President Schwab.
After the ordinance was introduced, Tyler Ror, a longtime Everett cyclist and former chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, told the council the city has repeatedly missed opportunities to add bike facilities when repaving. "Last year during the pavement maintenance overlay, we failed to incorporate something that's in the plan," Ror said, citing East Casino and Colby as corridors where restriping or design changes could have created safer bike access. He also criticized nose-in angle parking where it interferes with cyclists' sightlines and asked that the Parks and Built Environment Committee receive an update on the Bicycle Master Plan.
Council members acknowledged the comment: staff and the Transportation Advisory Committee tracks candidate streets for overlay work and some corridors are constrained by curb or parking, while others may offer restriping opportunities. Council Member Bader said the TAC heard presentation on freight routes and that some corridors slated for paving are constrained; Council Member Zarlingo asked staff to add a bicycle master plan update to the parks committee list.
Why it matters: The pavement maintenance overlay is a routine capital activity, but paving projects are a common and cost-effective opportunity to implement bike-lane improvements. Local advocates say failing to coordinate paving and striping leaves persistent gaps in the bicycle network.
What’s next: The council authorized a formal call for bids for the 2026 overlay project; staff will return with contract recommendations following procurement. Council also directed staff to provide an update on the Bicycle Master Plan to the Parks and Built Environment Committee.
Sources: Public comment by Tyler Ror and council roll-call votes during the March 4, 2026 Everett City Council meeting.
