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Regional transportation debate over Log Cabin Road extension raises Tumwater traffic concerns
Summary
Council members discussed public emails and regional planning debate over whether to remove a proposed Log Cabin Road extension from the regional transportation plan; city staff said they will prepare a standardized response and seek technical analysis of traffic impacts on Henderson Boulevard and local routes.
Council members raised concerns at the June 17 Tumwater City Council meeting about a regional transportation-plan item under review by the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) and the Transportation Policy Board: a proposed Log Cabin Road extension that some citizens want removed from the regional plan.
Council member Peter Gaby described receiving emails from residents urging the city to support removing the project from the regional transportation plan and recounted a TRPC meeting where members tabled a recommendation. "So now because this is a regional plan...it involves Lacey, Olympia and others," Gaby said, and council members noted the project could shift traffic onto Tumwater streets if the extension were removed.
City Administrator Lisa Parks, who said staff had received constituent emails, told the council staff would prepare a standardized response acknowledging receipt and clarifying the appropriate bodies for comment. "...we will develop basically a standardized response and indicate that...it is a project in the city of Olympia," Parks said, adding staff would forward technical responses from Transportation Policy Board staff to council members.
Council members said they want the TRPC matter returned to their agenda if it requires a formal city position. Council member Eileen Swartout said TRPC staff have offered briefings ahead of meetings and recommended those briefings to ensure council representatives can be prepared.
Staff said the regional board will take additional information and that the TRPC planned further discussion; Tumwater representatives expect more technical material on traffic impacts at the next TRPC/TPB meeting and said they will bring the issue back to the council if members request formal direction.
