By: Mike Fong and Laura Solis, Lower Valley Matters
The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) announced at the October 13th Granger City Council Workshop meeting that the city was pre-approved for a $650,000 grant for road maintenance in 2027. Granger would need to come up with roughly $34,000 as a local match to secure the funding.
The TIB is a state agency with an annual budget of roughly $10 million to provide grants to mostly smaller cities for street preservation projects. This is one of the few grant programs available for local roads and arterials.
Andrew Beagle, an engineer with the TIB, presented findings from an assessment of Granger’s roads conducted in June. The assessment found that the city ranks in the top 5 worst cities in the state for roadway conditions. He said that immediate intervention and maintenance is needed to avoid total reconstruction and repaving, which would be far more expensive.
The city has been dealing with a $3.5 million backlog of road maintenance. Mayor Hilda González and Public Works Director Frank Tijerina have been working with Beagle to develop a phased approach to keep existing roads in good condition. Beagle proposed that the city adopt a 10-year plan and have a “firmer regiment” as far as chipping away at the backlog of work.
Phase I would include sealing and pavement repair work focused on Bailey Avenue, Main Street, and 3rd Avenue. If the City Council approves the funding as part of the 2027 budget, Beagle said that the TIB would approve a grant agreement. The city would be expected to retain a consultant and advertise the project for bids by February of next year.
Mayor González is currently leading the Council through the budget process, which will conclude in December.
To watch the Granger Workshop meeting on this topic, visit: https://reflect-midvalley.cablecast.tv/internetchannel/show/1088?site=4
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