City continues to update its Transportation Master Plan

Published 11:42 am Friday, June 28, 2013

For the first time since its adoption in 2005, the City of Redmond’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) is undergoing a major update.

The process began in 2010 when the city collected travel diaries from members of the community to see what types of transportation — car, bicycle, bus, foot or any other mode — people used in a 24-hour period. This was followed in 2011 by public meetings and online opportunities for the community to provide input.

Don Cairns, transportation planning and engineering manager for the city, said the diaries were instrumental in giving them a clearer picture of the city’s transportation needs and the community input “was really helpful early on.”

The updated TMP, which is a component of the city’s Comprehensive Plan, will guide citywide transportation investments and policies and is made up of two components: An 18-year plan of what the city can afford through the year 2030 and a buildout plan, which includes all the city’s important transportation needs. The plan is in the final approval stage and Redmond City Council is scheduled to vote to approve it on Aug. 20.

Cairns said there have been some specific changes in transportation since 2005 but the general direction of the TMP has remained the same.

Some of the changes the city has had to factor in while updating the TMP include a complete-streets ordinance that requires roadways to be car, bike and pedestrian friendly. Cairns said they also have to take the environment into consideration now and think about how their plans would affect the area’s water and air quality.

The approval of light rail coming to Overlake has also given city staff something concrete to work with in planning that area as they know where the stations will be located and how this will affect land use, Cairns said.

“That’s been pretty significant,” he said.

Another significant change that has affected the TMP update has been the economic downturn as it affected what the city could afford to deliver, Cairns said.

In addition to community feedback, he said city staff updated the TMP using a strategic framework that incorporates the city’s vision and an analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing Redmond.

That strategic framework included looking at whether the TMP supports the city’s two urban centers in downtown and Overlake, improves travel choices and mobility in the community, prepares the city for light rail, increases neighborhood connections and enhances freight mobility.