Yelm staff outline capital facilities program; Yelm Loop phase 2 to go to bid this winter

City of Yelm public‑works staff briefed the Planning Commission on May 20, 2025 about projects listed in the draft capital facilities tables, describing timelines, funding status and technical constraints for transportation, parks, water and wastewater work planned over the next decade.

Pat Hughes, city engineer, told the commission that the largest project in the near term is Yelm Loop phase 2. "After 25 years, I won't believe it till I see it," Hughes said, but he said plans are nearly complete and the project is expected to go to bid with a tentative date of Dec. 17, 2025; construction is likely to begin just after the new year. Hughes said the city expects to deliver the final plan set to WSDOT this November.

Staff said Roden Road (reconstruction of the road that will be the main artery from the loop into downtown) is in preliminary design and will require some right‑of‑way acquisitions; preliminary design and acquisition could take about a year, with construction possible in 2027. The Bald Hill (SR‑507) roundabout design is in final stages; staff estimated construction could begin in late 2026 but cautioned right‑of‑way acquisition can extend the schedule.

Hughes and other staff reviewed several intersection studies in early phases, including an intersection control evaluation (ICE) at Yelm Avenue West and Longmire to study options such as signalization or a roundabout, and a planned realignment of Mill Road at SR‑507 to create a 90‑degree intersection with an added turn lane.

Parks projects discussed include substantial changes planned for Longmire Park, upgrades to remaining areas of Cochran Park tied to reclaimed‑water work, and the Veterans Memorial on the Mill Road site. Hughes said the Veterans Memorial has secured $600,000 in state funding, which will cover initial design and part of phase 1; staff expect phase 1 construction in 2026 if additional funds are secured. Staff also described an upcoming construction package to complete the last piece of the Yelm Prairie Line Trail across the Sully River (the old railroad bridge) and said bids for that piece were just received.

On utilities, staff explained the city is completing a new reclaimed‑water facility and must evaluate groundwater background levels before discharging reclaimed water to ground. Hughes said state reclaimed‑water rules require the discharge not to exceed existing background levels, a standard he described as stringent — noting those background limits can exceed drinking‑water standards — and that groundwater‑flow studies at Cochran Park are underway to determine whether additional improvements will be required at the reclaimed‑water facility. Staff also described ongoing wastewater collection upgrades, periodic water‑main upsizing projects, and planning for a fifth water storage reservoir; a new reservoir at 100th and Third/Walmart Boulevard is near completion and the city will begin design of the next reservoir shortly after it opens.

Staff emphasized many items are in design or study phases and will return to the commission and council as project details, funding and right‑of‑way needs are resolved. No formal approvals or budget actions were taken at the May 20 meeting.

"That project is the plans for the project are nearly 100% complete. I'm expecting to get a final set of plans for that the second week in June," Pat Hughes said about the Yelm Loop phase 2 schedule.