Bothell council approves $1.08M FHWA pass-through grant agreement for 102nd Avenue NE bridge study

Council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to sign a local agency agreement that will obligate just over $1.08 million in federal FHWA funds passed through the state for the 102nd Avenue NE Bridge planning study.

"Our hope tonight is that you will approve a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a local agency agreement with WASH for the 102nd Avenue Northeast Bridge planning study obligating just over a million dollars in grant funds," Christopher Stillwell, the city's capital project engineer, told council. He said the planning project will include a type, size and location study, community outreach, and cost and feasibility analysis and that the city applied for the FHWA grant in February 2024 and was awarded funds in August 2024.

Council member Kurt moved for adoption and council approved the resolution without further amendment. Several council members acknowledged prior concerns about grant terms raised in earlier meetings but supported moving forward to design and public outreach. "I actually voted no last time because of the terms and conditions imposed on us, but I feel like we as a council decided to move forward and it makes sense for us to move forward in this very important piece of infrastructure," Council Member Dodd said for the record.

What’s next: Staff said the project will start as soon as possible and no later than Q4 2026. The study will feed future design work and any construction plans would follow separate procurement and environmental review processes.