Lakewood and WSDOT to finalize maintenance arrangement for Gravely Lake Drive–Thorn Lane shared-use path

City Engineer reviewed a maintenance agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for the Gravely Lake Drive–Thorn Lane shared‑use path — a project the city said will create a continuous non‑motorized connection between Tillicum and other Lakewood neighborhoods.

The city engineer told the council the project is being advertised by WSDOT within weeks and could reach construction award in the spring; staff said the WSDOT bid package and schedule anticipate construction projects beginning this year and a public ribbon-cutting after June 26, 2026. The city engineer described the construction cost as approximately $31.5 million and said the contractor will build a durable, 14‑foot hot‑mix asphalt path with stormwater measures and a mix of retaining walls and at‑grade sections.

The draft maintenance agreement separates structural and nonstructural responsibilities: WSDOT will maintain structural elements such as bridges and walls; the city would assume maintenance for nonstructural items including paving, lighting, markings, signage, graffiti removal and landscaping. The engineer said the path will include 73 pedestrian lights and central bollards to permit emergency and maintenance vehicle access while preventing general vehicle traffic.

The council asked several operational and design questions. Council members raised potential amenities (benches), safety features (emergency call boxes, cameras) and graffiti mitigation. The engineer said call boxes were discussed but staff and WSDOT had not recommended them because nearly all users carry cell phones; however, the city could add conduit or communications infrastructure later at city expense to support phones or cameras. On graffiti, the engineer said WSDOT plans to plant replacement trees at a ratio higher than standard requirements and that options such as ivy plantings under select walls were under consideration to reduce ongoing paint-over maintenance.

The presentation also covered property and design constraints: the path largely hugs the Tacoma Country and Golf Club property line to preserve space for future rail tracks, and Sound Transit and BNSF requirements influenced alignment. The engineer said some mature firs and Garry oaks along the corridor will be removed; WSDOT plans to replant with a higher ratio of Garry oaks (staff cited 12 plantings for 3 removed as an example).

Staff outlined connectivity questions raised by…