The Transportation Policy Board (TPB) has approved a proposed amendment to the 2025-28 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), allowing the City of Lacey to secure $2.8 million in federal funding for the College Street Corridor Improvement Phase 3 project.
The project includes installing a traffic control roundabout at 16th Avenue Southeast and widening the roadway to include a center median, auxiliary left turn lanes and sidewalks with urban amenities.
"We need this amendment for funding to go forward. This has been a long time coming for this corridor," said Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder at the TPB meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Ryder also sits as TPB chair.
The amendment is to secure the $2.8 million of federal and local right-of-way funds.
According to Sarah Porter, a planner with the Thurston Regional Planning Council, the RTIP is a four-year list of near-term transportation projects that is updated annually.
"In between these updates, when new projects are added or substantial project changes are made, they go through this amendment process," Porter explained.
Lacey has requested the amendment to ensure the project receives the necessary funding. To access the federal funds, the amendment must first be made to the RTIP and then forwarded to the State Transportation Improvement Plan.
The proposed amendment was presented to the TPB, which is composed of representatives from various cities, counties and state agencies within the region.
Martin Hoppe, Lacey's traffic engineer, said that the amendment would not affect allocations for other projects in the RTIP.
After a brief discussion, the board unanimously approved the amendment, moving it forward in the approval process.
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