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Yelm officials say state budget uncertainty could delay Yelm Loop and roundabout projects
Summary
Mayor Joe DiPano told the council the Yelm Loop and several roundabout projects are currently funded but in jeopardy due to state budget proposals and a potential deficit; funding originally came from the Connecting Washington package, and final outcomes depend on the state budget and governor’s signature.
Mayor Joe DiPano told the council on April 8 that the Yelm Loop and several roundabout projects are currently funded but face uncertainty as the state Legislature negotiates the transportation and supplemental budgets.
DiPano said the projects—identified as the Yelm Loop, Helm roundabouts, and related Thurston and Pierce County roundabout work—were included in the Connecting Washington transportation package passed in 2016–2017 and are scheduled to go to bid this year. He warned that some state budget proposals would pause projects that have not yet gone to bid and that the state’s projected deficit creates a risk that funding could be delayed or reallocated.
Councilmember Peminski asked whether “funded” meant the city had money in hand; DiPano replied that the projects were funded under the Connecting Washington package but that funds could be delayed or pulled, and nothing is final until the Legislature completes the budget and the governor signs it. He said Yelm representatives, including state Representative Andrew Barkis, are advocating to keep full funding and the city expects an update by the end of the legislative session or possibly during a special session.
The council did not take formal action on the projects at the meeting. DiPano said the city is monitoring the situation and will share updates as the Legislature finishes its work.
