Mukilteo seeks $500,000 in local design funding to unlock $5 million federal grant for 5th Street bike-ped project

City staff said Mukilteo was awarded a $5,000,000 federal construction grant administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation for the 5th Street pedestrian and bicycle corridor.

Public Works Director Nienhaus explained the project (TIP project D) had design work completed in 2021 using Sound Transit funds but that moving from local to federal construction funding triggers additional standards and permitting. Staff estimates roughly $500,000 of local investment will be required to update design drawings, satisfy federal environmental and permitting requirements and prepare the project for construction bidding. Nienhaus said the work would include pavement overlay, storm drainage upgrades and detention/treatment, curb ramp upgrades, lighting, new on-street parking configuration and a shared-use path.

Nienhaus noted the project team worked closely with residents in the corridor to preserve access and parking where feasible. He listed potential local funding sources for the design/preparation work, including pavement preservation funds, stormwater funding, parking/transportation impact fees, and other program balances the city maintains. Staff told council it plans to propose a consultant contract (roughly $500,000) to complete the design updates so the project is competitive for the next grant cycle.

Councilors asked about impacts to private structures in the right-of-way and whether the project would require moving private encroachments; staff said federal rules limit private encroachments and that the city will need to negotiate permits or agreements with affected property owners as part of the design process. Nienhaus said staff will return with a consultant contract and funding plan for council approval.