Shelton hears six-year transportation plan; council praises departing public works director

Public Works Director Jay Harris briefed the Shelton City Council on May 26, 2026 on the city’s required six-year transportation improvement plan, outlining current level-of-service conditions and projections to 2045 and identifying priority projects for funding and design.

Harris displayed 2024 peak-hour level-of-service data and a 2045 projection based on comprehensive-plan growth rates. He warned that several intersections could degrade to E or F service without investment and said cumulative growth — including multiple housing developments — drives the projections. "This is what happens if you don't spend any money on the system," Harris said, noting traffic impact fees, developer-built improvements and state grants as the principal funding avenues.

Priority projects Harris identified included a roundabout at Wallace Nean and Shelton Springs Road (likely a double roundabout in future design), a Wallace Nean/13th roundabout, upgrades at the North Shelton interchange on U.S. 101 (a long-term, high-cost project), Franklin Street improvements around the bus mall, pavement maintenance, and active-transportation elements such as the Cross-Town Trail phases.

Harris also discussed pedestrian-safety items: an Oak Bay Junior High crossing and a rapid-flashing beacon at Terrace and North Cliff tied to the Olympic Heights/Alpine Ridge development were on the list; staff said design work exists for several crossings and grant applications (Safe Routes to School, TIB) will be pursued.

Council members asked about traffic-impact-fee credits for developer-built collectors, project prioritization and staff bandwidth to deliver multiple concurrent grants and construction projects. Staff emphasized the need to keep designs shovel-ready to reduce inflationary costs and noted the state submission deadline at the end of June for the plan.

Council members used the agenda to publicly recognize Jay Harris, who said his last day with the city is the coming Thursday and mentioned personal retirement plans. Members credited Harris and the public works crew for improving the city’s pavement condition index and advancing multiple capital projects, and offered public thanks and well wishes.

The council did not take formal action on funding at the May 26 meeting; Harris said a resolution mirroring the plan and a spreadsheet of projects will be prepared for council consideration in advance of the state submission deadline.