Mayor Joe DiPano of Yelm said the city will begin visible construction this year on several long‑planned transportation projects and related infrastructure, including the Yelm Loop and multiple roundabouts that leaders say are fully funded.

DiPano said, “We got about over 20 projects this year that we're working on right now. And that's up from about 12 projects from last year.” He listed projects the city expects to see soon: a water tower near the Walmart site, several roundabouts at five‑corners, Vail, Bald Hills and one in front of McKenna Elementary, and the Yelm Loop, where utility lines have nearly finished moving.

The projects, officials said, are intended to address traffic and support ongoing growth. Commissioner Rachel Grant, who represents part of the county that includes Yelm, highlighted county participation in transportation funding and said the county is working with state partners on the Yelm Loop and related improvements.

The mayor also described non‑road projects tied to the same infrastructure push: a roughly $37,000,000 renovation of the city’s water‑reclamation facility that is nearing completion; an activated alleyway near City Hall intended for farmers markets and food trucks; and work to convert a railway bridge over the Nisqually River into a pedestrian trail. DiPano said the water tower project “will give us enough water for years,” and that utility relocations for the loop are nearly finished.

Officials cautioned some items remain in staging or coordination with external partners. DiPano and Grant said construction on funded roundabouts will begin later this year, and the Yelm Loop will proceed after right‑of‑way and utility work wraps up. Leaders also said they are discussing additional regional options such as another gate for Joint Base Lewis‑McChord (JBLM) to improve local access, but that such items require partner agreement.

City leaders asked residents to expect construction impacts as the projects begin and said they will publish schedules as contractors are selected and work is mobilized.