What is Enumclaw planning for its streets? City updates its Transportation Improvement Plan

Look out for a roundabout to be built at 244th Avenue SE and Roosevelt Avenue in the near future

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly labeled some projects as completed instead of underway, or vice versa. The Harding Street from McHugh Avenue project is actually completed; the project from 244th Avenue from Griffin Avenue to the city limits (mislabeled as 244th from Griffin to the city limits) is underway; and the Roosevelt Ave./244th Ave. roundabout project is near Moose Lodge, not Country Animal Hospital. The article has been updated.

Enumclaw has updated its road improvement plans for the next six years.

The City Council held a public hearing on its official Six Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) during its June 10 meeting, and approved it the same night.

This is an annual update where the city reports to the state what projects it hopes to tackle in the next few years; while the document is non-binding and is often amended, it’s necessary for Enumclaw and other cities to have it in order to receive state and federal grant funds for projects.

According to meeting documents, there are three significant projects that will be at the very least under contract, or even completed, by the year’s end that are no longer on the TIP.

These projects were pavement rehabilitations for Washington Avenue from Cole Street to Railroad Street (to be completed this fall); Harding Street from McHugh Avenue to about 1,300 feet to the north (completed); and 244th Avenue from Griffin Avenue to the city limits (construction is underway).

Other projects are upcoming, with some coming with a price tag in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This includes 268th Avenue from McHugh Avenue to the city limits (estimate cost of $350,000, with a potential start year of 2024); Initial Avenue from Railroad Street to Wells Street (estimate cost of $400,000, with a potential start year of 2027); and Marshall Avenue from Railroad Street to Porter Street (estimate cost of $600,000, with a potential start year of 2028).

Funds for these projects are likely to be drawn from the Enumclaw Transportation Benefit District taxes, meaning the city does not plan to use its general funds for these undertakings.

The most expensive project in Enumclaw’s near future is improving the 244th Avenue SE and Roosevelt Avenue intersection (near Moose Hall) with a roundabout.

Construction was originally slated for this year but securing a state grant took longer than expected, said Enumclaw City Administrator Chris Searcy, so the project is now expected to start in June 2024.

The $1.1 million project is covered by 50% state funds, with the rest coming from city coffers.

Tags: