Project Facts
- Design and right of way funded through 2005 transportation package.
- Formerly a City of Yelm project, WSDOT took over as lead agency in 2004.
- Project features: two lanes; two bicycle and pedestrian paths; two roundabouts; one signal.
September 2008
Purchase of right-of-way needed for the Yelm Loop corridor is funded and will be continuing.
The document containing the findings and conclusions of the July 26, 2006 limited access hearing was adopted on December 5, 2006. The Right of Way Plan was approved December 7, 2006.
The 2005 Transportation Partnership Project program allocated $33 million to fund the design and right of way for this project. Construction is unfunded.
Why is WSDOT
making this improvement?
To reduce congestion on Yelm Avenue and First Street, improve freight mobility and safety and improve traffic circulation through the City of Yelm. The new road allows traffic to move more efficiently between Spanaway, Roy and McKenna in Pierce County and destinations in Thurston County.
The End Result
Improved highway system resulting in better mobility in the Yelm area.
Project Benefits
- Safety. Improved safety through downtown core due to less congestion and fewer conflict points. Separated non-motorized pathways will be provided to enhance bike and pedestrian mobility.
- Congestion relief. Yelm Avenue and First Streets will see significant traffic improvement.
What is the project timeline?
In June 2004, WSDOT began the process of updating the environmental assessment and preliminary design that was prepared in 2000 for the City of Yelm. A property owners forum was held in September 2004, and there was a cost risk assessment in October 2004. In April 2005, the legislature provided additional funding for the Yelm Loop project.
Design and environmental work resumed in December 2005. Environmental studies and documentation are underway, including a Biological Assessment in compliance with the Endagered Species Act. An access hearing was held on July 26, 2006. The purchase of Right of way is underway and will continue through 2011.
The construction phase is not currently funded.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us.
We endeavor to maintain open communication with the community and all parties interested in the Yelm Loop project. WSDOT employs multiple strategies to keep the public informed, including this Web site.
WSDOT and the design team have held meetings and spoken with property owners adjacent to the new SR 510 Yelm Loop.
Environmental Protection
In 1999 and 2000, a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment was completed by the City of Yelm.
The environmental assessment addressed numerous environmental issues, including air quality, noise, water quality, wetlands, fisheries, wildlife, vegetation and social/cultural/economic elements. After review by National Marine Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Fish and Wildlife, Ecology, and Thurston County, in 2000, the Federal Highways Administration issued a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI).
During the design phase, the project team has been re-evaluating the various elements addressed in the original EA. An Environmental Reevaluation/Consultation Form is being prepared per NEPA guidelines, as is a Biological Assessment.
Please visit the
WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
The SR 510 corridor experiences higher-than-average collision rates. The average collision rate for other minor rural arterials in the WSDOT Olympic Region is 1.8 collisions per million vehicles. SR 510 has a collision rate of 2.4 per million vehicles. A majority of the collisions are angle collisions at intersections. An additional number of collisions take place during left turn movements into businesses and onto cross streets.
The SR 510 Loop will remove through-traffic from the downtown core, reducing the number of potential conflicts.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Tribal consultation with interested Tribes is currently in progress.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison website.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- 2005 Gas Tax (Partnership Funding) - $33,000,000
- Existing Funds - $1,200,000
- Other Agency Funds
High Priority - SAFETEA-LU ($1,713,274)
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $35,913,274
Unfunded Amount Remaining - $56,059,900
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Dennis Engel, Project Engineer
WSDOT Olympic Region
PO Box 47440,
Olympia, WA 98504-7440
Phone: 360-357-2682
Fax: 360-357-2688
E-mail: engeld@wsdot.wa.gov
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