The City of Aberdeen has secured a $250,000 Washington State Transportation Improvement Board grant to begin major improvements, including installation of sidewalks, on the stretch of Boone Street in South Aberdeen between West Harriman Street and Grays Harbor College.

Public Works Director Rick Sangder made the announcement at Wednesday’s Aberdeen City Council meeting. The city can now begin construction of sidewalks on this stretch of road and add bike lanes to improve what has been a treacherous walk or bike for students and faculty who choose something other than a motor vehicle to get to campus.

Later, the council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Erik Larson to apply for an additional Transportation Improvement Board grant, this one for improvements on Market Street from Park Street to Division Street. The funds would allow the city to repair the subgrade of Market in the areas that need it the most, and overlay the street with two inches of hot mix asphalt. The striping on Market would be extended to include a center turn lane and bike lanes west from Park Street to Division. The grant requires a 10 percent match from the city, for which the city can use Transportation Benefit District funds.

Originally, the Legislative Department report was written to also give Larson the city’s blessing to apply for another grant to install a roundabout at Market and F streets and Fuller Way. That proposal was removed from the report and was not considered by the council Wednesday.