By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
MONROE — A $25 million transportation plan that identifies potential projects over six years in the city seems to be more of a wish list.
Even so, city officials want to hear citizens’ thoughts on the proposed plan that has projects aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and making streets safer.
"This is kind of a wish list of what we would like to do," Mayor Donnetta Walser said Monday. "There’s no way we can afford to do it all."
The list includes 21 projects such as annual maintenance of road striping, sidewalks and traffic signals, and larger projects such as widening Chain Lake Road.
A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in city council chambers at City Hall, 806 Main St. The city council could adopt some form of the plan by June 19.
Written comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. Wednesday and can be dropped off at city hall or sent by e-mail to City Clerk Betty King at bking@ci.monroe.wa.us.
The state-mandated plan includes proposed projects for 2003 through 2008 and must be adopted by June 30.
"The list is what needs to be done at least from our opinion," said Brad Feilberg, city engineering director. "If you’re interested, come to the public hearing. It’s your money we’re spending."
City officials have identified about $8 million over the next six years for the projects.
That money comes from gas, property and real estate excise taxes as well as grant and developer impact fees.
That leaves a $17 million hole.
Money for the remaining projects could come in future years from various sources such as developer and mitigation fees, Feilberg said.
"None of us have great hopes that we can do much of this," Walser said, regarding some of the projects. "(But) if we do not list projects on our six-year plan and funding comes up for them either through a grant or some source, then we’re out of luck."
Walser said she knows of no controversial project on the list. Projects on the list would be done and paid for as money becomes available.
"Our long-term vision is to try to do the best we can to try to mitigate some of this," she said, adding that even spending the whole city budget of $37 million couldn’t fix all the transportation problems.
The project list does not, however, address neighborhood speed bumps and stop signs. Such requests are handled separately.
At least four of the projects depend on more growth in the area, Feilberg said. Those projects include widening of Chain Lake Road, reconstruction of Woods Creek Road and two new east-west roads between N. Kelsey Street and Old Owen Road and between 191st Avenue SE and Chain Lake Road.
The Chain Lake Road widening project is partially funded and includes making it five lanes with curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Additional growth in the area would help pay for that $10.53 million project, he said. The city anticipates the road would accommodate about 15,000 cars a day once the Urban Growth Area is built out. The road sees significantly less than that currently, Feilberg said.
For comparison, U.S. 2 in the Monroe area accommodates 36,000 cars a day.
City council member Tony Balk said the list clearly identifies realistic projects, which he said hasn’t been the case with previous proposed transportation plans.
"Clearly development does not pay for itself," Balk said, adding that the list helps city leaders realize future expenses. "The quality of our decision-making is based on the quality of information."
The city is also studying about 25 intersections. The study will measure current service and look at needs 25 years out, Feilberg said.
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455 or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
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