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Transportation element draft maps needs for state highways, local intersections and active-transportation projects
Summary
City consultants outlined the transportation-element requirements under the Growth Management Act, including state-highway coordination (SR 507 and SR 510), a future traffic forecast using TRPC models, multimodal gap analysis, and a 20‑year project list tied to a financial plan.
SCJ Alliance project manager Ryan and county/regional partners presented the transportation-element draft and timeline to the joint meeting, describing the federal, state and regional steps required to produce a GMA-compliant transportation plan.
"Traffic on state facilities is certainly applicable to Yelm," Ryan said, identifying SR 507 and SR 510 as the town’s primary state facilities. Consultants said they will use TRPC’s new regional travel demand model to forecast future volumes and will coordinate with WSDOT and Thurston County for highway and transit performance measures.
What the draft covers: The transportation element will reflect land-use assumptions; an inventory of all travel modes (vehicular, truck, transit, bicycle and pedestrian); level-of-service or comfort standards; future-year traffic forecasts tied to TRPC modeling; a multimodal gap analysis; and a 20‑year prioritized project list with cost estimates and a financial plan. Consultants noted existing operational deficiencies at several side-street approaches to the highway and said the planned Yelm Loop and planned roundabouts (Bald Hill and a Walmart intersection) will be included in future-year modeling.
Public and commission input: Commissioners asked how targeted projects will be described. Ryan said the plan can include both large corridor projects and smaller, discrete pedestrian or school-area improvements. The team also committed to coordinate with Intercity Transit for ridership data and to involve the planning commission in review and outreach.
Next steps: Consultants will finalize bike-and-ped gap analyses, finalize volume forecasts with TRPC, conduct public outreach and develop a draft plan with cost estimates and a financial strategy for funding priorities. The plan will be presented to the planning commission in sections and consolidated for council review toward the end of the year.
Ending: The transportation element is early in the preparation stage; the consultants said they will return with refined forecasts and a prioritized 20‑year project list for council and planning-commission review.
