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Issaquah opens hearing on 2027–2032 transportation plan; council continues public comment to June 15
Summary
Transportation Engineering Manager John Mortonson presented the proposed 2027–2032 Transportation Improvement Program emphasizing maintenance, smaller 'tiplet' projects, and greater use of Transportation Benefit District debt; council opened the public hearing and unanimously voted to continue public comment and the hearing to June 15 for additional input.
The Issaquah City Council opened a public hearing on June 1 to review updates to the city’s 2027–2032 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Transportation Engineering Manager John Mortonson told the council the administration’s priorities are to emphasize smaller, implementable projects, prioritize maintenance over new construction, and make more extensive use of debt funded by the Transportation Benefit District sales tax (which staff noted is set to sunset in 2034).
"The themes of this update were an emphasis on smaller scale projects that could be implemented so the community could receive the benefit rather than waiting year after year while a project slugs through design," Mortonson said, summarizing the administration's approach.
Key changes and projects discussed: the Front Street and Sunset left‑turn improvements (TR012/TR012A), the Gilman Bridge rehabilitation (timing technicality), a pavement repair project near 190th Place and 191st Avenue Southeast moved up to permit before new stormwater requirements, and the Northwest Seamish Road non‑motorized improvement identified as an administration priority. Staff also explained why some large projects — including the proposed central I‑90 multimodal crossing — were moved into later years pending further study and council concern about costs and alignment.
Committee and board input: Mortonson reviewed feedback from the Transportation Advisory Board and the Environmental Board, which generally supported the proposed updates but urged clearer, more objective prioritization criteria and emphasized bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The proposed TIP contained over 16,000 linear feet of bikeways in the update.
Council action: After public comment (including a resident who urged a red‑left‑turn signal at a dangerous Newport Way crossing), the council voted unanimously to continue the public hearing to the June 15 regular meeting so the public and council could provide additional input and the administration could refine materials before a possible adoption vote on June 15.
Next steps: The administration will return June 15 with refined TIP materials for possible adoption following the continued hearing. If adopted, the city will submit the six‑year TIP to the state within 30 days, per statutory requirements. Mortonson reminded the council that the TIP is a planning document and that the biennial budget later in the year will determine which projects are funded for the first two years.
