Silverdale plans transformative transportation upgrades for future growth

During a recent government meeting, officials outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing transportation needs in Kitsap County, particularly in Silverdale. The discussion highlighted a range of transportation projects and the associated costs projected over the next 20 years, emphasizing the critical role of transit in managing anticipated growth.

Officials acknowledged that simply expanding roadways would not suffice to accommodate the increasing population. Instead, they are focusing on creating diverse transportation options, including walking, biking, and enhanced transit services. The capital facilities plan and environmental impact statement indicate that several rural roadways will require improvements to support this vision.

The meeting underscored the distinction between urban and rural transportation infrastructure. While urban areas will see the introduction of sidewalks and bike lanes, rural regions will primarily benefit from expanded road shoulders, with sidewalks being limited to more densely developed areas like Manchester and Keyport.

As part of the strategy, officials noted that many developers are expected to revisit land that has remained undeveloped for decades, aiming for a more compact development pattern. This redevelopment is seen as essential for modernizing infrastructure that has not kept pace with current standards, particularly in areas where sidewalks were historically absent.

Funding for these transportation improvements will come from a combination of state and federal grants, local property tax revenues through the Kitsap County Road Fund, and requirements for developers to include necessary infrastructure in their projects. Officials stressed the importance of advocating for these improvements, noting that every new sidewalk begins as a \"sidewalk to nowhere\" until it connects to a broader network.