The workgroup responsible for modernizing the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AWC and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding maintenance responsibilities for city streets that are part of state highways has been hard at work since its kickoff meeting in January. Its primary goal is to produce a new MOU that reflects current law and practice, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and improves consistency and predictability in implementation across cities and WSDOT.
The group has formed six topical subcommittees, each of which are assigned a technical area of focus to review and generate recommended changes for the larger workgroup to consider and adopt before sending to AWC and WSDOT leadership. A seventh subcommittee will focus on general policy and procedural issues, such as alignment with state statutes, and will propose a process for keeping the MOU current going forward after this facilitated process concludes in June 2027.
The seven subcommittee topics and subtopics are as follows:
- Roundabouts: defining basic maintenance responsibilities; developing roundabout diagrams and accompanying text
- Stormwater, drainage, culverts: stormwater design manual selection; catch basin and street sweeping maintenance; culvert size and responsibility definitions; alignment between design requirements and long-term maintenance
- Complete streets: incorporating complete streets into the MOU; recognizing various facility types
- Bridges, interchanges
- Signals, lighting, cameras, intelligent transportation systems, fiber
- Snow and ice removal, winter maintenance
- Policies and procedures
The first three subcommittees are underway and are still in the early stages. Most have begun by establishing agreed upon terms and definitions. The remaining committees are launching their work throughout May and June. They will all rely on input from fellow workgroup members and other technical experts from WSDOT and cities across the state.
How to engage
AWC will continue to publish periodic updates on the progress of the workgroup. If your city or town would like to offer suggestions or concerns for the workgroup to consider, we welcome your comments. Please send your input to Brianna Morin or Steven Ellis.
AWC staff also plan to provide an in-person update on the workgroup’s efforts as part of a panel discussion at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Washington Chapter 2026 Fall Conference in Spokane.
Looking ahead
As the subcommittees’ work progresses, the workgroup, with the help of the facilitator, will fashion a new version of the MOU and accompanying graphics by June 2027.
Given the time frame and large volume of work, the workgroup will not have time to resolve all questions related to maintenance responsibilities subject to the MOU. Instead, the group will address the issues it is able to; some topics will be deferred for resolution in the future.
Update to city streets as state highways agreement underway – learn how your city can participate
November 14, 2025
Work is now underway to update the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AWC and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding construction, operations, and maintenance responsibilities for city streets as part of state highways.
While an official workgroup of city and state representatives will collaborate on the update through a structured process, all cities with a state highway in their jurisdiction will be welcome to participate through other means.
Background
Chapter 47.24 RCW and WAC 468-18-050 establish the legal framework for jurisdiction, control, and maintenance responsibilities for city streets designated as state highways. However, implementation of the WACs, agency directives and WSDOT manuals has been subject to differing interpretations by staff at WSDOT and cities. The current MOU, dated April 2013, is a set of guidelines agreed to by WSDOT and Washington’s cities and towns for interpreting the RCW or WAC provisions where further clarity is needed.
Given the many changes and technological advancements in Washington’s public transportation landscape since 2013, the need has arisen to revisit the guidelines and find agreement on the division of responsibilities for several topics and circumstances not covered in the MOU.
The Legislature appropriated funding for the project in the 2025-2027 transportation budget (SB 5161) from the city share of the state gas tax.
Workgroup
A workgroup has been convened to collaborate on the update. It consists of six representatives from WSDOT and six city representatives from the cities of:
- Aberdeen
- Airway Heights
- Bothell
- Vancouver
- Wenatchee
- West Richland
Consultant firms Triangle Associates and Kimley-Horn have been hired to jointly facilitate the workgroup in completing the update. The facilitators will be responsible for guiding the workgroup through the update, to address current needs and challenges. The workgroup will also make recommendations for establishing a process for future review and update of the MOU as needed.
The workgroup will meet several times between January 2026 and June 2027, by which time a new agreement will be finalized and submitted to the Legislature.
Stakeholder engagement
AWC will provide formal and informal opportunities for all cities and other interested stakeholders to engage in the update. If you would like to be included on communications about the update, please contact Brianna Morin or Steven Ellis to add your name to our distribution list.