Weekly Project Update - August 30th

Work continues on installation of the watermain from Brassfield to Clar Mar. This includes replacing services that cross the road, so one lane traffic through work zones will be occurring.



No work on Labor Day.


Bicyclists, please continue to use the travel lanes with traffic and don't go outside the cones.






There are two upcoming urban cycling workshops in the Olympia area. These include Urban Cycling Basics on Saturday, October 16 and Women's Urban Cycling on Saturday, September 11. Details can be found at  http://olympiawa.gov/en/events-and-activities/classes-and-activities/urban-cycling-workshop.aspx .

What's Happening This Week -- Aug 25th

Grading for the stormwater ponds will be completed this week and will await a covering of topsoil.  Installation of the water main will continue up to the Labor Day weekend, then move on to sewer.  There will be no construction on Labor Day.

 Also, the cement pipe shown in this image, mentioned in last Fridays post, is what much of the old water line consists of with the surrounding community.  Unfortunately the pipe had not been buried deep enough, and when driven over by equipment, broke as clean as if it had been cut.

Friday Update

Drivers can expect traffic to be down to one lane all next week as construction installs the new water line.  Unfortunately, digging trenches in the roadway is not as easy as it looks nor as quick as is desired.  The old water line (currently in use) underneath Yelm Highway is both in great need of replacement and made of brittle material which is easily broken from driving above and digging next to.  Woodworth & Co. is making a great effort to keep traffic moving, provide continued water service to the many local residences, push forward with an efficient construction schedule, and most importantly maintain a safe environment for workers, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Project Update for August 18th

For the next several weeks drivers can expect traffic to be reduced down to one lane due to water line installation in the roadway. Utility companies will also be working on and off relocating utilities along the sides of the highway. Please obey the directions of traffic control personnel and devices. 







Thurston County also requests that drivers on Yelm Highway be courteous and allow those entering Yelm Highway from side streets a chance to enter traffic.

What's Ahead:

The water main installation will continue from just east of Brassfield towards the east with traffic down to one lane in the general area of the pipe work throughout all of next week.  There will be additional construction at the east end of the project near Rich Road for storm drainage, but two lanes of traffic should be provided during most of that work.

 

Drivers can expect road closures down to one lane Wednesday August 11th through Friday August 13th, and possibly Monday August 16th.

Drivers can expect road closures down to one lane Wednesday August 11th through Friday August 13th, and possibly Monday August 16th. 

 

Up to this point much of the storm drain and water line installation has paralleled the existing path of Yelm Highway in order to provide as little traffic interruptions as possible.  Starting Wednesday and continuing through Friday, and possibly Monday, these new sections of storm drain and water line will cross into the existing roadway, cutting traffic down to one lane.

What's Been Happening

The contractor is continuing to install new water main and storm drain lines between Henderson Blvd and Boulevard Road.  Exploratory digging is taking place to determine the existing location of an old water main installed in 1979.  This work is an effort to identify potential conflicts with the new utility installation.  The older, existing water system must be kept functional until the new installation is complete.  A Qwest contractor will be back on site Monday 8-16-2010 to relocate existing phone lines.  Work continues on the pond expansion excavation on the Blvd Heights pond.  Bio filtration swale work continues near Henderson Blvd.

Watch for lane closures and equipment in the roadway. Please follow the directions of project traffic control staff and signs. Bicyclists are reminded to stay within the coned areas just like motor vehicles. Riding outside of the cones creates a safety concern for both the bicyclist and project workers.

For questions, contact us at 360-754-4580 or email the Project Coordinator

Please take a moment to respond to our poll on the right.Thank you!

This Week on Yelm Highway Aug 2nd - 8th

Construction this week will consist partially of storm drain work, working on the south side around Brassfield Dr.. Dump trucks w/trailers can be expected exiting Boulevard Heights onto Boulevard Rd and Yelm Hwy as excavation material is removed. Drivers should expect traffic to be restricted to one lane at times on Wednesday as well.

Local resident Russ McMillan has taken some aerial photos of the project. Here is a sample.

Thank you for sharing those with us, Russ!

Please remember to patronize local businesses throughout the work zone.

What's been happening?

Things have been pretty much just moving along. There was some asphalt cutting that needed to be done for waterline installation, and crews are continuing the storm pond construction.


Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.
Stormwater Retention Pond, Before and After:

Up to 10 truck and trailers were transporting material.

Here it is... the site of the 2014 Summer Olympics! 

Ok, not really, but look at the size of that pool.

---

Waterline installation:

This is the Glu-lam power pole along the south side of the project.  Although the contractor was digging within acceptable limits, Woodworth had the power pole held for good measure while a couple of catch basins and storm drain were installed.