Whether you bike, drive or walk to get around, it is time to weigh in on the City of Mercer Island’s plan to maintain and improve bike paths, sidewalks, trails and streets.

Mercer Island and other cities in Washington state are preparing annual updates to their six-year transportation improvement program, called the “TIP.” The TIP includes roadway, pedestrian and bicycle projects planned for the six-year period beginning in 2014. The process of updating Mercer Island’s TIP includes opportunities for the public to provide input on what they would like to see in the update. The public comment period begins April 1 and runs through the end of the month.

Those who are interested in learning more about the TIP, viewing the TIP adopted by the City Council in 2012, or submitting an on-line comment for consideration in the 2014-2019 TIP, can visit the city’s TIP web page at www.mercergov.org/TIP.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the draft 2014-2019 TIP at the Council meeting on May 20. The purpose of the hearing is to receive public testimony on the draft TIP. Interested individuals may appear and provide input at the hearing or provide written comments in advance via the TIP web page.

The TIP is scheduled for adoption by the City Council on June 17, 2013. Contact Patrick Yamashita, city engineer, at patrick.yamashita@mercergov.org or (206) 275-7722.