Odessa prepares for roadwork

As reported in an earlier issue of The Record, the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) has awarded road and sidewalk improvement grants to Odessa and 102 other local agencies totaling $111.4 million at its November 22 meeting in Bellevue. The grant funding comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax dedicated by the state legislature for TIB programs.

The town of Odessa was awarded $730,201 in TIB funds to reconstruct Fourth Avenue. The project will improve access to the school and construct sidewalks to enhance pedestrian safety. Grants were also given to Reardan for a sidewalk on US 2 and to Wilbur to help maintain existing streets. “These grants are critical to small cities to help them meet their expensive road and sidewalk improvements,” said Whatcom County council member Sam Crawford who is the TIB Chair. “All of these grants return some of the gas tax dollars to the community.” The legislature created the TIB to make and manage state investment in quality local transportation projects.

Project funding is awarded on a competitive basis using rating criteria established by the board and usually requires local financial participation. During 2013, local governments across the state completed or are currently building 365 projects funded in part by TIB grants. See http://www.tib.wa.gov to view project details and other grants awarded statewide.