Tumwater council adopts 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program, residents press for alternate East Street alignment

The Tumwater City Council on June 3 adopted Resolution R2025-010 approving the city’s 2026–2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a six-year project list the city must file to be eligible for many state and federal grants.

The TIP adopted by council includes capacity, multimodal and preservation projects. New or highlighted items in the plan include design work for a roundabout at the Tumwater Boulevard and Henderson Boulevard intersection, a proposed roundabout at the Pioneer Park entrance to address severe parker egress and pedestrian/bicycle access, continued work on the Deschutes Valley Trail, the X Street roundabout (design under way), Somerset Hill culvert replacement design, and multimodal improvements on Second Avenue including a noncircular roundabout. The plan also adds a project at 90 Third Avenue to lower a steep hill by 7–12 feet to improve sight lines, accommodate water-main work and add pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

The TIP presentation came from Brandon Hicks, the city’s transportation and engineering director, who told council the TIP is required by RCW 35.77.010 and must be adopted by June 30 each year for submittal to the Thurston Regional Planning Council. Hicks said the…