Steady bus traffic on Pacific Avenue has pounded the pavement between South 15th and South 21st near the University of Washington campus and roadwork is inevitable, according to a discussion Tuesday during the Tacoma City Council study session.

“The structural section is failing, and there is a lot of settlement,” said public works staffer Leigh Starr, who presented the information during a meeting to address Tacoma’s six-year transportation plan. Starr told councilmembers Sound Transit and Pierce Transit make 1,000 trips along the road each day, resulting in considerable wear-and-tear.

Though repairs were identified as “critical needs,” some councilmembers wondered whether repairs could be delayed in light of roadwork on another part of the avenue two years ago that caused traffic snarls, parking woes, and headaches for merchants downtown.

“I’m having a problem justifying another tear-up,” said Councilmember Jake Fey. “I’m not excited about pushing this one in there.”

Councilmember Bill Evans echoed that concern. “Merchants have come to all of us with great concern because of what happened last time,” he said.

And Councilmember Connie Ladenburg questioned the urgency of repairs, which could begin next year. “That road is not in major disrepair,” she said. “Is it necessary to move on it so quickly?”

Public works staffers said repairs could be delayed. However, department director Bill Pugh added, “Unfortunately, [the problem] isn’t going to go away.”

Repairs hang on whether the city can secure federal and state grants. “If we don’t get the grant, we won’t be able to move forward,” added Starr.

Tuesday’s discussion was part of a larger presentation on the city’s six-year transportation plan. That plain is designed to program capital expenditures for transportation projects, identify funded and unfunded high-priority projects, and pursue state and federal grants for some of these projects.

Other parts of the plan call for a proposal spearheaded by City Manager Eric Anderson to spend $1.7 million on citywide beautification projects such as a landscaped median along portions of Pacific Avenue; citywide bridge repairs; and two amendments championed by Councilmembers Tom Stenger and Evans to allocate $50,000 to the Pipeline Trail connecting Tacoma to Orting, and another $50,000 to connect the Prairie Line Trail connecting South Tacoma Way to UW Tacoma and the Foss Waterway.

Tacoma residents will have the opportunity to comment on the transportation plan June 20. Councilmembers will vote whether to adopt a resolution finalizing the plan during a meeting June 27.