Transportation infrastructure improvement projects are at the top of governmental “to do” lists at all levels these days. In fact, McMinnville’s Transportation Advisory Committee got its first look at the city’s draft plan earlier this month, and there was much to review.

The plan takes a long view at capital improvement projects, concentrating on street functionality and upgrades, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. It also looks at major, long-range development projects: completion of Three Mile Lane improvements, replacement and construction of bridges and important “ring road” considerations to reduce downtown traffic.

The plan is a great piece of preliminary work. Its implementation would solve some transportation issues that have been plaguing the city for years. However, it addresses needs with extremely high price tags.

There may be a need for public/private partnerships and grants, as well as government funding. Still, some projects may have to be eliminated or delayed.

Luckily, there will be plenty of opportunity for public input before the full plan — including transit and transportation policy — is sent to the City Council for final approval.

At future meetings the advisory committee will prioritize the capital projects, now in no particular order. Among those:

First and Second streets, and Adams and Baker from Second to 12th streets, would have curb extensions, crosswalk delineation with pavers, curb ramp replacement and pedestrian scale lighting. The intersections of Second Street at Adams and Baker would be upgraded with an additional westbound lane, curb extensions, and traffic signal replacement and timing.

Fifth Street would be upgraded for use as a through street between Lafayette Avenue and Highway 99W. The traffic signal at Fourth and Adams would be eliminated, with one added at Fifth and Adams.

Improvements on Highway 99W South past Lowe’s, Rice Furniture and across Highway 18, include a replacement bridge with a left turn lane, new and replacement traffic signals, widening of 99W, bike lanes and sidewalks. Traffic here is expected to increase 125 percent during peak hours by 2023.

Improvements at Booth Bend Road include an urban street upgrade, added sidewalks and bike lanes, a railroad crossing upgrade near Sue Buel School along with streetscape amenities.

At the other end of town, re-striping of Baker Creek Road would include left turn lanes and added bicycle lanes. Pedestrian islands would be added for safety. North Baker between Baker Creek Road and Burnett Road would get an urban street upgrade with added sidewalks and bike lanes.

North and South Hill roads plus Old Sheridan Road also would get urban street upgrades with sidewalks and bike lanes. North Hill Road could have roundabouts or traffic signals at Baker Creek Road, Wallace and Second streets, and Old Sheridan Road could see a bridge replacement.

In the industrial section, Riverside Drive would be upgraded. A “dream project” would take traffic from that area across a new Yamhill River bridge to Three Mile Lane.

Improvements with the biggest price tags would have to be shared with ODOT. The structurally deficient bridge over the Yamhill River near Kiwanis Marine Park would be replaced, including widened sidewalks, bicycle lanes and ADA compliance. The granddaddy of them all is the Three Mile Lane interchange and Highway 18 corridor plan, which would need to include two new interchanges, collector street access routes and new traffic signals, and completion of the frontage road system to eliminate direct access to the highway. That price tag is well over $70 million.

Pay attention during the process, attend the public meetings and make your voice heard. It’s our future.