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Committee accepts $1.68 million WSDOT grant for downtown signal accessibility upgrades
Summary
The Public Works committee recommended the council accept a $1,680,000 WSDOT grant toward an estimated $3.5 million project to modernize downtown signals at six intersections (three on Railroad Avenue, three on Cornwall Avenue) with ADA‑focused improvements including tactile and audible pushbuttons; the committee authorized the mayor to sign interlocal agreements and related amendments.
The Public Works & Natural Resources committee recommended accepting a Washington State Department of Transportation grant of approximately $1,680,000 toward downtown intersection accessibility and safety improvements and authorized the mayor to enter the required local agency agreement and any related amendments.
Chair Liliquis said the grant covers nearly half of the project’s estimated $3,500,000 cost and identified six downtown intersections included in the overall project (three on Railroad Avenue and three on Cornwall Avenue). Mike Wilson, assistant director of public works and city engineer, said because the grant is with WSDOT staff must execute an interlocal agreement and project prospectus as part of the funding process. He said the work is driven by ADA accommodation requests and the need to modernize very old signal equipment, including adding tactile pushbuttons and audible signals to assist people who are visually impaired.
A council member asked why intersections that had earlier accessibility upgrades still needed work; staff replied that while four or five intersections received curb/ramp or mobility upgrades, the signal controllers and pedestrian‑accessible signal equipment are old (approaching 50 years) and lack modern audible and tactile features. Council Member Lisa Anderson moved to accept the grant and authorize the mayor to enter the interlocal agreement with WSDOT and any related amendments; legal counsel asked that the motion explicitly include related amendments, the motion was restated accordingly, the committee voted aye with no objections, and Chair Liliquis said he would bring a unanimous recommendation to the full council.
Staff noted the packet contains the local agency agreement and project prospectus; the committee requested that future steps and any required amendments be routed to council as they arise.
