Buckley’s hope to complete realignment of its tangled “dysfunction junction” is one of just five projects recommended for funding by the Puget Sound Regional Council.

The Buckley project is estimated to cost $1.6 million and is, by far, the most expensive item singled out through the PSRC’s Rural Town Centers and Corridors Program. The $1.6 million would cover both design and construction costs.

The confusing intersection on the south end of town was helped a year ago when 112th Street East was aligned with Ryan Road, eliminating one entry point onto a busy stretch of state Route 410. Now, the city wants to realign state Route 165 at SR 410, creating a “T intersection” to improve traffic flow and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and trail users.

Making the PSRC’s short list, aside from Buckley, were projects in Kingston, Snoqualmie, Snohomish and Monroe.

The PSRC is looking for public comment on the projects through Aug. 9. A final decision on funding will be made by PSRC’s executive board in September.

Also out for public comment are five contingency projects in line to receive funding should any additional money become available. That list includes a project in Enumclaw as well as a second project in Buckley. The Enumclaw item seeks $1.3 million for channelization of SR 410 and the other Buckley project asks for $750,000 for construction of a missing link of Foothills Trail between Buckley and South Prairie.

Anyone wishing to comment on the spending plan can write to: Puget Sound Regional Council, attn: Jeff Storrar, 1011 Western Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, 98104-1035. Or, comments can be emailed to: tipcomment@psrc.org.

The PSRC develops policies about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.