Kim Moon, the city engineering director, gave the City Council a broad capital improvement program update Oct. 6 that covered transportation projects, federal grant awards, and a newly developed policy for humane management of Canada geese along transportation corridors.

Moon told council the city had been awarded a competitive Arterial Lifecycle Program grant administered through the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) for Lower Buckeye Road improvements: $28,064,725 in federal funds with a city match of $7,742,025, producing a total project budget slightly above $35,000,000. Moon described the Lower Buckeye project as widening the corridor, adding through and turn lanes, completing sidewalk and bike lane gaps, and coordinating jurisdictional transfer issues with Maricopa County and ADOT. "The city has been awarded a MAG Arterial Lifecycle Program (ALCP) competitive grant award for this widening and improvements of Lower Buckeye Road, which [is] over $28,000,000 of federal grant funds with a match from the city of about just over $7,700,000," Moon said.

Moon also summarized near‑term projects: adding turn lanes and signal updates at McDowell Road and Dysart Road (design underway; construction scheduled for 2027), a new traffic signal at Thomas Road and 100th/11th Avenues (the location met multiple MUTCD warrants), a signal at Encanto Boulevard and 99th north of Costco that requires an intergovernmental agreement across Avondale, Phoenix and Maricopa County, and several developer‑funded signals at intersection locations where developers are contributing or building off‑site signal work.

A new city policy on Canada geese was presented as part of the transportation discussion. Moon said geese and similar birds are protected under federal law and the city policy integrates humane, evidence‑based management practices — natural deterrence, strategic attractants, low‑cost physical barriers and public education signage — into transportation projects where birds create safety or maintenance problems. "This policy provides for integration of humane and cost effective Canadian geese management best practices," Moon said, and noted project elements such as landscaping modifications and low walls or rock outcroppings may be incorporated into the Thomas Road signal project to reduce bird hazards.

Council members thanked engineering staff for pursuing grant funding and asked staff to consider corridor‑level approaches for bird deterrence and pedestrian connectivity. Several council members highlighted access and safety benefits that the Lower Buckeye grant is expected to deliver, particularly pedestrian and bicycle connections to Festival Fields and Friendship Park.

Moon closed by noting ongoing trail and pedestrian projects, bridge lighting retrofits, and upcoming ribbon cuttings for Fire Station 171, the Civic Center and Friendship Park.

No formal council action was taken; Moon’s presentation was for information and discussion.