Transportation Master Plan Committee provides solutions for Kent roads

Figuring out the transportation puzzle in Kent is a long, winding road and very expensive.

A seven-member Transportation Master Plan Committee has tackled the problem and come up with some potential solutions, including prioritizing projects and funding through a bond and car tabs.

The committee’s recommendations for coming up with $103 million for the six-year transportation improvement plan is a 20-year voter approved bond

and a $20 car tab fee approved by voters. The $103 million would lead to $26 million in matching grants for a total of $129 million in projects.

The bond would levy 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation and would cost a resident with a $300,000 home about $150 per year.

The group’s document noted the current method of funding with transportation impact fees is inadequate. The impact fees would be eliminated if the bond passes.

The recommendation is for the bond and car tab fee to be placed on the ballot in the spring of 2012.

Councilwoman Debbie Raplee, chair of the Public Works Committee, said she put out a call for citizens to join a committee to “look at the entire (transportation) package” for the city.

The group members included Mike Miller, Tom Sharp, Ken Sharp, Doug Sharnhorst, Morgan Llewellyn, Brad Bell and Gwen Allen. They worked from June to September and presented the findings and recommendations to the Public Works Committee Sept. 6.

Miller said the goal of the group was to “come up with a realistic transportation plan taking into account the constraints of the economy and federal and state funding.”

The members reviewed the transportation master plan for the city, the six-year transportation improvement projects, prioritized projects and reviewed funding options.

“This turned out to be darn good committee,” Raplee said. “Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes really helps.”

Miller said one of the issues they found was three railroad grade crossing projects were very expensive. The transportation committee recommended using the city’s resources to pay for numerous intersection improvements and road-widening projects inside the city.

Raplee said the recommendations make sense because 10 to 15 years ago the issue for the area was moving freight, but now the top concern is moving traffic.

The group emphasized projects that would benefit the city rather than the region.

Some of the recommendations include lane improvements on West Smith Street and Central Avenue North, adding dual turn lanes to Southeast 208th Street and state Route 515, dual turn lanes on Kent Kangley Road and Southeast 132nd Street.

Raplee said the next step is for the Public Works Committee to consider the recommendations before it is presented to the full council.

Transportation Master Plan Committee provides solutions for Kent roads