More than 1,000 statewide transportation improvement projects utilizing $2 billion in federal funds are included in the 2013-16 STIP. Improvement projects include pavement overlays, roadway widening, bridge replacement or repair, signal systems, safety enhancements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and transit facilities.

The draft STIP is a listing of federally funded projects, as well as regionally significant state and local transportation projects, and is now available online for review and comment.

Projects included in the STIP are funded by a combination of federal, state and local sources. Federal aid projects must be included in the STIP before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or Federal Transit Administration (FTA) can authorize the expenditure of federal funds.

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s public comment period for the STIP is open through Dec. 20. WSDOT developed the project list in coordination with statewide metropolitan and rural transportation planning organizations to ensure that the projects are consistent with local, regional and state plans. The comment period is the final step of a public process that started at the local level. Any comments received will be sent to the local planning organization for their consideration.

A new four-year STIP is created every year, and several projects may carry over as they move from design to permitting and, finally, to construction. The current 2012-15 STIP can be viewed online and a similar searchable database of the 2013-16 STIP will be created in early 2013, following FHWA and FTA approval.

Written comments can be sent to: Stephanie Tax, WSDOT, P.O. Box 47390, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7390; Taxs@wsdot.wa.gov; or by fax at (360) 705-6822.

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

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