DTS says traffic-signal and bus-stop projects will follow warrants, federal funding covers most costs

The Department of Transportation Services briefed the Budget Committee on proposed CIP projects including traffic-engineering devices, signal work and bus-stop improvements.

Director Roger Morton said about 75% of DTS’s CIP is federally funded and stressed the need to complete engineering warrants before programming construction. He identified ongoing studies (Camilo Street) and said one intersection’s left-turn phase was found warranted while another was not; the warrant study for North King and Gulick Avenue is underway, with DTS aiming to finish by December and program funds in the FY27 budget if a left-turn phase is warranted.

Deputy Director Hong Li said the signal warrant work is actively underway and confirmed that if a left-turn is warranted, DTS will fund installation in FY27. Morton also discussed bus stop improvements and said the department programs roughly $2–2.5 million per year for bus-stop amenities and will coordinate neighborhood requests on shelters.

Council members asked for follow-up on leading pedestrian intervals, pedestrian-safety discrepancies in certain districts and continued coordination between DTS and council offices.

Next steps: DTS will complete warrant analyses, provide timelines and, if warrants are met, include signal installations in FY27 programming.