Mason County adopts 2026 construction program and six-year transportation plan

Mason County commissioners adopted the 2026 annual construction program and the county’s 2026–2031 six‑year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) during a public hearing and vote on Sept. 16, 2025. The resolutions passed after a staff presentation and public comment from the county’s TIP advisory participants.

David Smith, a presenter from the Mason County Department of Public Works, said the annual construction program is the first year of the six‑year TIP and describes the county’s planned construction for 2026. He said funding sources include Surface Transportation Program (STP) federal funds, the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), road‑fund allocations, Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation (BROS) funds and county road improvement board funds (referred to in staff remarks as "wrap funding"). Staff also referenced "grama" during the presentation; the term was used as spoken by staff and was not defined in the meeting record.

Commissioners discussed examples of programmed work, including the Bear Creek Duarte Road improvement, programmatic bridge repairs and countywide small‑capital projects. A member of the TIP advisory committee said the committee reviewed scenarios to protect projects that bring matching federal or state dollars and suggested the board provide guidance as the county navigates fiscal constraints.

During the hearing, staff estimated Mason County maintains about 620 miles of county roads; that figure was given as a general count during the discussion. Commissioners praised Public Works staff for project delivery and emphasized the importance of continued guidance from the board as funding pressures grow.

Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded roll‑call tallies in the meeting transcript. The TIP and annual construction program now serve as the county’s prioritized project list and funding plan for 2026 and for the 2026–2031 period. Staff said next steps include continuing design and contract procurement for listed projects and pursuing the federal and state match where applicable.