Four county towns get TIB road funds

The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) awarded road and sidewalk improvement grants to 103 local agencies totaling $114.4 million at its Nov. 22 meeting in Bellevue. The grant funding comes from the revenue generated by three cents of the statewide gas tax dedicated by the legislature for TIB programs.

The city of Pullman received a total of $1.25 million to repair the deteriorating surface of Old Wawawai Road, to widen Bishop Boulevard and to install a traffic signal to improve traffic movement for all legs of the Klemgard intersection. Tekoa was awarded $733,000 to widen and reconstruct Park Road.

Endicott and Palouse each received between $24,000 and $31,000 for street maintenance projects. 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 funded in part by TIB grants.

“The TIB is pleased to return gas tax dollars back to the communities,” said Whatcom County councilmember Sam Crawford, who serves as TIB chairman. “These grants help bring dilapidated streets up to the current standard, making roads safer and more drivable for everyone.”