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NEWPORT — The City of Newport has set its priorities for transportation projects over the next six years.
Unanimously approved at the Newport City Council’s Monday, July 6 meeting was Newport’s transportation improvement plan for 2026–2031. This plan enables the city to receive funding for transportation projects from the state Department of Transportation, city administrator Abby Gribi said at the meeting. Projects outlined in the plan are expected to be mostly funded by WSDOT.
“This is what we think we should be able to tackle within the next six years,” Gribi said. “We update it annually. We can update it more frequently if something is found that we want to identify.”
At the top of the city’s priorities is a feasibility study for converting the one-way streets downtown into couplets. The feasibility study alone is estimated to cost $109,250, including $100,000 in state funds.
Following that is the establishment of six to 10 on-street, Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking spots downtown, estimated at $248,750. Of that, the state is expected to contribute $225,000.
The city’s third priority is the reconstruction of heavily damaged Seventh Street, which will involve a hot mix asphalt and sidewalk construction. This is estimated to cost $787,500, including $750,000 in state funds.
Fourth is another feasibility study, this time for the addition of a roundabout by Calispel Avenue and Highway 2. It is estimated to cost $59,875, including $55,000 in state funds.
Ongoing maintenance and other small projects are fifth. Costs for these are to be determined, according to the plan, but will be paid by the city and grants.
‘I know this process is gonna be a multi-year process, but the longer we wait, the longer it gets.’
Mark Zorica
Newport City Councilman “That’s a placeholder for if the city identifies a project, [Transportation Improvement Board] funding that is preservation- based, those types of items,” Gribi said.”
Sixth is a First Street grind and overlay, as well as rehabilitation and surface water improvements, estimated to cost $520,000. The state is expected to contribute $494,000 of that total.
Establishing sidewalks to local schools is the city’s seventh priority. Total estimated cost for this is also to be determined, according to the plan.
The city’s eighth priority is to build Eighth Street out to the right-of-way with curbs, gutters and sidewalk. This project will focus on the section of Eighth Street from South State Avenue to South Warren Avenue. It is estimated to cost $1,890,000, including $1,799,250.
Ninth is the application of fog seals to previously chip-sealed streets, funded by $28,500 from the state TIB and $1,500 from the city.
Second to last is a sidewalk extension project from Seventh Street to city limits, estimated to cost $850,183, including $749,500 from the state.
During the Newport City Council’s hearing for the transportation improvement plan, members advocated for the addition of an 11th priority: engineering for storm and grade improvements at the south couplet on Fourth Street, which frequently floods. This project is estimated to cost $85,125; of that, the state is expected to contribute $75,000.
“When the waters in the middle, people do not slow down,” council member Mark Zorica said at the meeting. “And then they create that worse havoc when they splash through there, and then you have flooded businesses.”
Mayor Keith Campbell will follow up on the city’s request to hold a joint workshop with WSDOT regarding transportation projects on Highway 2.
“I know this process is gonna be a multi-year process, but the longer we wait, the longer it gets,” Zorica said.
Also unanimously approved were two hotel-motel tax requests. Co-chair Terri Ivie requested $1,000 to fund advertising for the Relay for Life of Pend Oreille Valley. Micheal Huntley, American Legion Post 155 first vice commander, requested $600 for the Veteran Stand Down.
With so many community groups utilizing the hotel-motel tax fund, council member Nathan Weather asked Gribi how much of it was left. Gribi responded that she did not know off the top of her head, but there were still funds available.
“I love hearing people from the community using it,” Weathers said at the meeting.
Tabled from the last meeting was a resolution authorizing the investment of city funds in the Local Government Investment Pool. The resolution would give new city clerk-treasurer Theresa Schoener authority to contribute or withdraw funds to and from LGIP, with approval from Gribi or city deputy clerk-treasurer Tiffany Hansen. Having now read the associated prospectus, the council unanimously passed the resolution.
Earlier in the meeting, Gribi announced an update on state Department of Commerce funding for the Comprehensive Plan. Though not confirmed, Gribi said the city’s next $50,000 grant may only be reduced by about $900. She has yet to receive an agreement from the state that was expected in June.
The Newport Spray Park splash pad is operational after a temporary repair. The city is collaborating with South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue to install security cameras and signage at Newport City Park, which has been experiencing vandalism.
