Council approves transportation, ferry improvement plans

By Brett Davis

Contributing writer

The Pierce County Council unanimously adopted the 2023-28 Transportation Improvement Plan and the 2023-36 14-Year Ferry Program at its last meeting before Thanksgiving.

The Transportation Improvement Program outlines the county’s future transportation plans. This transportation document is updated annually per state law.
Consideration of this ordinance was continued from the council’s Nov. 15 meeting for additional review.
The planning and programming documents related to the county’s transportation system identify more than $336 million of capital expenditures via the Public Works Construction Fund and includes 86 projects.
Long-range maintenance and capital improvements for all major elements of the ferry system are also included in the ordinance passed by the council at its Nov. 22 meeting.
Major expenditures include $2.2 million to replace the Ketron Island ferry landing terminal that helps guide ships in and $1.2 million for the replacement or repair of components of the Anderson Island and Steilacoom ferry landings.
 “Well, I’ll just thank the council and department staff for your hard work on this,” Council Chair Derek Young said.