Lacey proposes transportation improvement budget for the next six years

The City of Lacey discussed its six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and budget, amounting to $194.4M, during its Transportation Committee meeting yesterday.

Lacey Transportation Manager Martin Hoppe said the projects listed under the TIP are future improvements that do not immediately require the City to provide funding.

"This is a federal-state requirement," said Hoppe. "It's identified to show the public what we plan to work on in the next six years."

Hoppe highlighted that the primary purpose of the TIP is to track state and federal grants and list regionally significant projects. He clarified that all projects under TIP must be consistent with the city's Transportation Comprehensive Plan.

Roads and intersections

Among the projects listed under TIP are Martin Way / I-5 Interchange Improvements at Exit 109 ($52M), College Street Corridor Improvements ($46M), Carpenter Road Widening from Martin Way to Britton Parkway ($23M), Marvin Road from Britton Parkway to Columbia Drive ($19M), and other road widening and improvement projects.

Like many other municipalities, Lacey will base its budget increase on the yearly inflation rate published in the Engineering News-Record every July 1.

The City must prepare an annual TIP and submit it to the Washington State Department of Transportation and Thurston Regional Planning Council by July 31 each year.