Project overview
Crews will build the three remaining miles of SR 510 between Cullens Road and 170th Street Southeast. The roadway will have two lanes. The project will also include a new shared-use path for people who walk, bike or roll.
What to expect
Utility relocation for this project is nearly complete.
This project will go for competitive bidding during spring 2026. Construction will begin during summer 2026.
As part of this project, four existing intersections will close. Each intersection will not have direct access to the new roadway. WSDOT will announce the closures in advance. Get email updates about this project and other major roadwork on state highways in Thurston County.
This map shows previously completed Stage 1 and the path of Stage 2. The roadway will extend between Cullens Road and 170th Street Southeast/SR 507.
This project's primary purpose is to create congestion relief in downtown Yelm. Downtown Yelm congestion can be especially heavy when drivers divert around I-5. Heavy congestion can negatively affect emergency response times and economic vitality.
This project would improve travel times in downtown Yelm. Yelm Loop also will help reduce the potential for collisions on Yelm Avenue. The project will provide a new non-motorized shared-use path on one side of the new roadway. The project is also intended to reduce travel times for regional traffic.
Limited access corridor
This new roadway is a limited access corridor. A limited access corridor is designed to enhance the performance of the roadway. Limited access also has benefits for people who walk, bicycle or roll. It will shortened travel times, help reduce the potential for collisions and increase roadway capacity.
There are four intersections that will be converted into a cul-de-sac. These existing roadways will have no direct access to Yelm Loop.
- Crystal Springs Street NW
- Canal Road Southeast (two locations)
- Railway Road Southeast
WSDOT will announce the closures in advance.
Road noise/noise walls
When WSDOT builds new improvement projects, we include noise barriers if noise standards are exceeded and other criteria are met.
In this instance, property must have been approved for development before February 1, 2000. This is when WSDOT’s proposed roadway officially became part of the public record.
The View Royale neighborhood was built prior to February 1, 2000. The neighborhood is eligible for a 1,291 foot-long, 12-foot high noise wall. It will be built on the south side of the right of way between Crystal Springs and Rhoton Road.
WSDOT has additional information about our process for determining noise barriers.
Several SR 507 roundabouts planned
More congestion relief is coming with a series of new roundabouts.
- SR 507/170th St. (Built by WSDOT as part of this project)
- SR 507/Vail Road (Built by Thurston County)
- SR 507/Bald Hills Road (Built by City of Yelm)
- SR 507/SR 702 (Built by Pierce County)
Additional information is available via Supplemental Environmental Assessment (PDF 16MB).
The Federal Highway Administration has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for this project. (PDF 21.9MB)
