A May 8 meeting will give people a chance to voice their suggestions or learn about future transportation projects in Bellevue.

The Bellevue Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2009-2014 Transportation Improvement Program at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 8, in Room 1E-113 on the first floor of City Hall, located at 450 110th Ave. N.E.

The TIP is a work plan for the development of local transportation systems. Its primary importance is that, in most instances, projects must be included to be eligible for state and federal grant programs.

Unlike fully-funded projects listed in the city’s 2007-2013 Capital Investment Program Plan, the TIP also includes projects deemed important, but without a source of secured funding.

The public hearing is an opportunity for those attending to tell commissioners what projects should be implemented if funding does become available.

The TIP also serves as a planning tool required by the state Growth Management Act. It’s used by the state Department of Transportation, and by the Puget Sound Regional Council to coordinate the transportation programs of local jurisdictions and to track regional air quality.

Following the public hearing, the Transportation Commission will forward its recommendations on the TIP update to the City Council, which is scheduled to review and approve the plan by early June.

To see a copy of the proposed TIP, visit the city website at www.bellevuewa.gov/transportation_improvement_program.htm.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the PNWLocalNews.com community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. So keep your comments:

• Civil
• Smart
• On-topic
• Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by registering for an account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and drive-by commenters.

As a community site, we ask that the community help by using the "Flag" button on each comment if they feel the comment has violated the rules. You can also use the up and down arrows on each comment to voice your opinion about that particular comment.

Want to tell us something but you don't want it to be public? Talk to us privately.