MEDICAL LAKE — During the June 4 City Council meeting, City Manager Sonny Weathers presented the draft six-year Transportation Improvement Plan.
The plan, required by Revised Code of Washington 35.77.010, is designed to address transportation needs, including roadway, pedestrian and public transit enhancements.
Weathers said the transportation plan must align with the city’s comprehensive plan and be adopted by July 1, with the finalized document submitted to the state secretary of transportation within 30 days of adoption.
A significant portion of Medical Lake’s downtown streets were identified as needing substantial work in the the Pavement Condition Report, which indicated many streets range from 25-50 on a 100-point quality scale. The average city street is 62.
Weathers emphasized the importance of the Transportation Improvement Board Small City Street Preservation program in funding road projects.
A map displayed during the presentation showed several streets within the downtown area require immediate attention.
The initial phase focuses on scrub and fog sealinb for numerous streets, including:
• Tara Lee Avenue, from Edna Street to North Courtney Court ($48,000).
• Percival Street, from Brower Street to Sherman Avenue ($31,000).
• Ladd Street, from LeFevre Street to Sherman Avenue ($43,200).
• Fellows Street, from Walker Street to Sherman Avenue ($31,200).
• Grace Street, from LeFevre to Prentis Streets ($35,880).
Funding for these projects will be provided by the board.
Addressing pedestrian safety was also a plan component.
Mayor Terri Cooper inquired about the specifics of these improvements.
“When you talk about pedestrian improvements, are those sidewalks typically?” she asked.
“Yes,” Weathers responded. “And as we discussed, with the complete streets projects, the goal isn’t to see every street in town have that option, but we have certain arterials like Campbell Street, Barker Street, and Stanley Street, and those streets aren’t all equal.
“They see a fair amount of pedestrian traffic but they don’t all offer sidewalks the length of the streets. We’d like to fill in those areas, and then as needs are identified, continue to fill them in.”
The plan also outlines significant future projects, such as the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of State Highway 902, Brooks Road and LeFevre Street in 2026.
That project is projected to cost an estimated $500,000.
Additionally, extensive pedestrian improvements are planned for Highway 902 and Stanley Street, with projected costs of $1.4 million and $500,000, respectively, supported by the board and Complete Streets funds.
Weathers concluded by noting the draft plan is currently open for public comment.
He invited community members to provide their input before final adoption.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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