Memorial Day Weekend

Thurston County Public Works encourages you to enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend and to please drive safely in your travels.

We join you in remembering those who lost their lives in the wars of our Country's past and present.

Work will be starting soon on our project. Stay tuned in to our blog and Twitter feeds for current information.

Gettysburg Army Memorial, Gettysburg,PA, (ooops)
Photo courtesy of Kathryn Brenner ©2009
all rights reserved

Weekly Update- May 17th - 21st

Construction Season 2010  is starting in Thurston County. In addition to Yelm Highway, we will have projects on Old 99, Vail Road, Delphi Road, and Littlerock Road, in addition to the ChipSeal and resurfacing projects and regular maintenance. 

Please remember to drive responsibly through the work zones and follow the flagger's directions and obey the warning signs. 

Keep an eye on our website at Thurston County Public Works for up to date project information, and follow our blogs and twitter feeds for the various projects.

The Yelm Highway project is slated to start next month.  Utility operations are continuing in preparation for the start of the main work.

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How are we doing? If you have comments on how you think we are doing with getting the information to you regarding the Yelm Highway project, please drop us an email at -Comments- 

Weekly Update- May 10th - 14th

Most of the work going on this week is behind the scenes.  

From the Project Coordinator: "The apparent low bidder, Miles Resources LLC, dba:  Woodworth and Company, is scheduled to be awarded the project on May 18, 2010.  It will take several weeks to execute all required documents, with anticipated beginning of construction around the second week of June.  Comcast is working on their overhead cut-over.  Not much other activity until the Contractor starts work."

Please support local businesses during the construction. Every effort will be made to keep access open to all businesses and residences during the 2 year project. Remember to allow extra time for your travels if you use Yelm Highway as part of your route.

Follow us on Twitter for up to the minute information about conditions along the project. We will try to post lane closures and other important information using  Twitter and our blog.

Thurston County Public works will also be utilizing blogs and Twitter to keep the public informed about our other road projects and construction, including a major project on Vail Rd and the 2010 Chipseal and Resurfacing programs.

For more information on any of our projects, telephone us at 360-754-4580 or email at Thurston County Public Works

Yelm Highway Widening Project Officially Opened

The sun broke through the grey clouds on Thursday, May 6th, as Thurston County Public Information Officer Keith Eisner officially opened the groundbreaking ceremony for the largest project in Thurston County's history.


Close to 50 people attended the festivities that took place at Olympia City Parks property at Brassfield Street and Yelm Highway. Attendees included officials from Olympia, Thurston County, Tumwater, Intercity Transit,the State Transportation Improvement Board, and local residents.


A 78 year old resident said that she was extremely excited for the project to begin. "I wondered if I would live long enough to see it happen!", she chuckled, "Now, I'm going shopping!".

One resident, Mr. Sanders, agreed to move from his home, and two other vacant homes will be demolished for the project.

The County Commissioners offered their thanks to all of the residents that deeded property in order to make the project possible.

Want to see more pictures of the Groundbreaking? Click HERE

Weekly Update -- April 26th -30th

PSE/Potelco completed their utility relocation and restoration work this week. Sefenco, the sub contractor for Comcast is on site working to relocate their aerial and underground cable facilities. Qwest ( phone), and Pilchuck (natural gas), are close to having their utility permits issued and should be starting their utility relocating efforts in May and June. The general contractor for the project should be officially awarded in late May and we expect them to be on site working in early June depending on their schedule.

Photo courtesy of K. Whyte, TC Project Inspector

Thurston County Connection Video

Please watch the video at Thurston County Connection as County Commissioners Wolfe, Romero, and Valenzuela talk to InterCity Transit, TRPC, and  Olympia and Thurston County project coordinators about the upcoming project and its affect on citizens and transportation.

Local Officials to Break Ground on Yelm Highway Project May 6

Thurston County commissioners and Olympia Mayor Doug Mah will break ground for the Yelm Highway Improvement Project on Thursday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony takes place on City of Olympia property across from Brassfield Road on Yelm Highway about a half-mile east from Henderson Boulevard.



County Commissioners Sandra Romero, Cathy Wolfe, and Karen Valenzuela, Mayor Mah, Stevan Gorcester, executive director of the State Transportation Improvement Board, and Intercity Transit General Manager Mike Harbour will speak at the ceremony.


The section of Yelm Highway between Henderson Boulevard and Rich Road (approximately 1.25 miles) will be widened to provide two travel lanes in each direction, sidewalks and bike lanes. Two roundabouts, one at Boulevard Road and one at Brassfield Street, will also be constructed. In conjunction with the county project, the City of Olympia will upgrade sewer and water utilities in the area. Construction, slated to begin in June, is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.


FUNDING :

Road Realignment
State Transportation  Improvement Board $3.9 Million

Thurston County $2.4 M

Federal Funds $1.6 M

City of Olympia $821,000

Intercity Transit $15,000

Olympia Utilities

Sewer: $3.8 Million

Water: $1 M

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Project Total: $13.5 Million

The May 6th ceremony is free and open to the public. Project details are available at: yelmhighwayinfo.blogspot.com/ or by calling 754-4580


Funding numbers corrected: kib per ke 5.6.10