Medical Lake approves six-year transportation plan

MEDICAL LAKE — The City Council approved the six-year transportation program for 2022-2027 at their July 20 meeting. A public hearing for the plan was also held, but there were no citizen comments. The transportation improvement plan is updated every year.

There are two projects lined up for the year of 2022. The first is an asphalt repair project along Barker Street with an estimated cost of $120,000. Construction will include a two-inch asphalt overlay and will run from Lefevre Street to Stanley Street.

The second project is also a two-inch asphalt overlay. It will take place along Washington Street from Lake Street to Fellows Street. The estimated cost is $45,000.

These projects are mostly funded by the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIP), which handles 95 percent of the cost in the form of grants. The city must apply for those grants and end up in the top 50 to receive that funding. The selection process is a major factor in how the projects are selected.

“Fifty percent of Medical Lake streets could be on the plan.,” said City Administrator Doug Ross. “We try and pick streets that score well through the grant process that we know will have a big impact on the city. We’re trying to get the best bang for the grant buck.”

Streets that score well include streets by or connected to downtown areas and schools. Medical Lake also recently exceeded 5,000 in their population count, moving them out of the small city classification and making the grant process more competitive. All these factors make residential streets less likely to be chosen.

“We pick the same types of streets,” Ross said. “Streets that get heavy use or that are in front of schools.”

Construction on Grace Street between Broad and Prentis Street is anticipated for 2023, as well the stretch of Grant Avenue between Evergreen Drive and Campbell Street. Prentis Street anticipates its own makeover between Lake Street and Percival Street in 2024.

Fox Ridge Road is scheduled for repaving between Graham Road and Wilcox Road in 2025. Brower Street’s asphalt overlay between Lake Street and Percival Street is set for 2026, and Graham Road will receive similar treatment between State Route 2 and Joshua Street in 2027.

Riley Kankelberg can be reached at [email protected].