Transportation projects are top priorities for both Maple Valley and Covington’s lobbying efforts during this year’s legislative session in Olympia.

Both cities have funding requests for projects within their boundaries and support the Association of Washington Cities legislative agendas, with one exception by Covington, the AWC’s position on law enforcement officers and firefighters or LEOFF 2 benefit enhancements.

Maple Valley and Covington in partnership with Black Diamond “will continue to advocate jointly for federal and state funding for commuter rail service and other alternatives to serve the three rapidly growing communities (southeast) King County.”

City officials will “support Auburn’s efforts to secure an Amtrak stop, and support other parties’ rail advocacy efforts when helpful to Southeast King County’s DMU commuter rail project,” according to a document provided by City Manager Derek Matheson.

Maple Valley will request improvements to the state Route 169 corridor including work at the intersections of Witte Road and Kent Kangley Road, with both of those projects in the design phase, funded by a $2.8 million Community Trade and Economic Development or CTED grant and $800,000 from the city, according to information provided by City Manager David Johnston.

In addition, officials from Maple Valley have asked for state funding of $150,000 for a corridor study in partnership with the state department of transportation, the cities of Kent and Covington to determine what needs to be improved on Kent Kangley Road and how much that would cost.

On another transportation project, the city is seeking $50,000 to conduct a feasibility study to create a pedestrian/bicycle route that would serve as an alternative to using Maple Valley Highway and Kent Kangley Road.

Maple Valley is trying to get $500,000 for construction of ballfields at the Summit Pit site southwest of Four Corners. A master plan for the project is expected to be complete in April.

Covington is looking for money for parks — $750,000 for a soccer field at Covington Community Park.

Economic development is an important issue to Covington officials, according to its legislative agenda document, with the city requesting $50,000 for a feasibility study for a Covington Town Center.

In addition, officials plan to “support constitutional amendments and/or legislation to create pure tax increment financing. Support state funding programs that are simpler, more flexible, and user‐friendlier.”

Another priority for the city is to “seek to delay the mandatory 2011 comprehensive plan update” as well as efforts to exempt capital construction projects by local governments from sales tax.

The legislative session began Jan. 11 and lasts 60 days.