Weekly Update from the On Site Inspector

PSE/Potelco continues to set new poles and associated underground conduit on the north side of Yelm Highway near ClarMar Lane and Julie Court. They are also setting a new pole on the south side of Yelm Highway at Laura Street. Potelco is communicating daily with the homeowners while working in County owned right of way abutting private property. At times, the power line conversion from the old pole to the new pole requires a temporary power outage to the homes in the immediate area. Potelco is working with the home owners during these short term power outages. Potelco is working 4-10's Monday-Thursday and will not be working on Friday's.   

By the way... those poles are up to 110 feet long, and extend 80-90 feet into the air when installed.

Photo courtesy of K. Whyte, Project Inspector

Hints and Tips -- Plan now for delays

The Yelm Highway Project is a three-dimensional undertaking. Not only is there the obvious widening and repaving, but also much work both above and below ground will be performed before actual roadwork can begin. A 20 foot deep hole will need to be excavated to install a pump station, underground utilities will need to be moved, clearing of the new right of way will need to be done.It is also a multi-jurisdictional task, involving both Thurston County and the City of Olympia.

We would like to be able to do this without impacting the public, but that is not possible. We suggest that if you regularly use Yelm Highway, that you consider allowing extra time for your commutes and investigate alternate routes before construction begins. Due to the number of projects going on in the cities and county over the next many months, and the fact that project schedules can change for many reasons, there will not be published detour routes. There is no plan to close the road entirely at any time, but there could be traffic back ups and delays.



Access to all businesses throughout the length of the project will be available. Intercity Transit will possibly be altering routes and schedules, so you may need to contact them for schedule changes as the project progresses.

As the project construction phase gets closer, keep an eye here and on our website for information and updates.

If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive notifications via the USPS, please contact us at 360-754-4580 or email parsont@co.thurston.wa.us

Webpage information updated

We have updated our website with the current plan drawings of the project. Visit our site at Yelm Highway Project and click the link for Phase V Plans.

Keep watching here for more information. You can subscribe to this blog by email and you will be notified when new posts are added. You can also follow us on Twitter.  See the links for these options on the right side of this page.

Have a great weekend, and drive safely!

For more project information, contact Theresa Parsons , project coordinator.

WOW! That's a big pole!

Utility contractor Potelco is moving east along Yelm highway installing the new utility poles. They have gotten as far as Brassfield. The new poles are constructed of glue laminated wood.  
We are moving toward the call for bids on the project. That should occur by mid-March. Kep watch here and on our website for more information.

Photo courtesy of G. Coleman, Public Works Construction Inspector

New Utility Poles Popping Up

This week:


Utility contractor Potelco is in the process of erecting the new utility poles along the length of the project. During this time there might be some single lane closures, but there will be flaggers to guide you through the work zone. The old poles will remain in place until all the existing overhead utilities can be transferred to the new poles.



Please drive safely through the work zone and follow signs and flagger's directions.
 
For project information, contact Theresa Parsons at 360-754-4580