The City of North Bend is pleased to announce that several additional transportation improvement projects are planned in 2022 that will improve pedestrian connectivity and enhance public safety for residents.
As a result of robust sales tax revenue and conservative budget forecasting in 2021, the City’s general fund is ending this year in a very positive position, with additional revenue – some of which will be used to make trail and sidewalk improvements next year.
As part of the City’s Mid Biennium Budget Adjustment process, the surplus 2021 revenue will be used for 2022 budget expenditures, such as implementing a new Pilot Program to build sidewalks to connect existing sidewalk gaps, eliminating sidewalk trip hazards, and extending Tanner Trail to approximately 436th Ave SE.
The Sidewalk Gap Removal Program will help connect areas with missing sidewalk segments that are less than two blocks in length. There is also increased funding for the Sidewalk Reinvestment Program that removes sidewalk trip hazards. Last year the program focused on areas of Forester Woods. The additional funding for this program will result in improved pedestrian safety across the City.
The Tanner Trail Extension funding will increase the length of the trail that runs parallel to North Bend Way in the eastern portion of the City. It is anticipated that the project will extend Tanner Trail from its current ending spot just east of City Hall to approximately 436th Ave SE. This extension, coupled with crosswalks at the new North Bend Way and 436th roundabout and new sidewalks being constructed as part of the Cedar River Partners Project (former Dahlgren property), will better connect this area of the City to downtown.
Mayor McFarland commented, “The City is committed to connectivity and safety of all residents, which is reflected in ongoing and planned transportation improvement projects. Voters recently approved a 10-year renewal of the City’s Transportation Improvement Benefit District Sales Tax. With nearly 71% of voters approving this tax renewal, we thank residents for the value they place in our ongoing efforts to improve all modes of transportation across North Bend.”
Other City transportation improvement projects already planned for 2022 include sidewalk improvements on E. 2nd Street, the NE 6th Street Watermain Replacement and Street Repair project and the completion of the new roundabout at North Bend Way and 436th.
[Information provided by the City of North Bend]
Comments
I’m glad to see that infrastructure is being maintained and even extended.
This is a good thing for everyone
This is nothing with a big N. The whole 8th street and Silver Creek neighborhood streets should be repaved; crosswalks across “all” of town should have the latest in safety enhancements, such as flashing LED Pedestrian Lights; all access points into town should have digital speed advisory installed; the entire block across from Si View Park needs curb and paving for safer parking – in short the old part of the city takes it in the shorts as the city only cares about new development to the east and west. Then there is the sweet heart deals with councilmembers like the 50×200 feet of commercial land worth tens of thousands for six parking stalls (labeled Public or $3,000 in asphalt). The cover up (done in public) was not even a sale but a 99 year lease on the land in the paper work so the coffee shop could be built – leaving the Historical and Senior Center with less land to expand. Every Council Member who voted on this should be ashamed. North Bend has a bad habit and it is still continuing– it’s all about the money, not the benefit of 51% of the people.
I have to give Mayor Larson and Snoqualmie credit for literally redoing Old Snoqualmie with water, sewer, drainage lines to street with sidewalks curbs and pedestrian safety – bottom to top and side to side – they tore that city apart and put it back together so it looks, feels great – government at work for the people. And yet North Bend can not even do one quarter of that or even take care of Silver Creek. North Bend had to get a “grant” to redo sidewalks in Forrester Woods to get out of the lawsuit filed by the Home Owners Association. The roundabout in the article at North Bend way and 436th is paid by developers for their impact to the area. If this is the cities “great tax” outlook — and the list goes on — we are in deep trouble.
Chris Lodahl – NB Mayor 91-95, Council 89-90
Good news on the Budget. An additional policy might include establishing a “Rainy Day Fund” to provide budget for those pesky unexpected but necessary projects.