Kennewick council adopts $3.3 million federal grant for Columbia Drive and Clearwater Avenue pavement preservation

The Kennewick City Council unanimously adopted a resolution on July 7 to amend the city's six-year Transportation Improvement Program to include a pavement preservation project on Columbia Drive (Fruitland to SR 397) and Clearwater Avenue (Kellogg to Union), funded by a $3,300,000 National Highway Systems federal grant.

"Last fall, staff was successful in securing $3,300,000 of National Highway Systems federal grant to grind and overlay an entire roadway and improve ADA ramps on both Columbia Drive and Clearwater Avenue," said Heath Mallott, the city's design services manager. Mallott told council the grant is 100% federal funding and requires no local match.

Councilmember Trumbo asked whether approval of the amendment related to seeking Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funds for downtown complete-streets work. Mallott said the amendment pertained to last year's plan and not the TIP the council adopted last month; another city staff member said the city is evaluating potential TIB funding for downtown separate from this TIP amendment.

Mayor Pro Tem Torelli moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Milbauer seconded; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote in favor. Staff said the project must be advertised for construction early next year in order to meet federal funding requirements.

Why it matters: The grant more than doubles the city's typical annual transportation benefit-district spending on comparable work, enabling pavement and ADA ramp improvements with no immediate local-funding obligation.