Thurston County commissioners on Dec. 2 approved several Public Works items that will advance local transportation and trail projects.

The Board authorized the Public Works Director to sign a letter to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) confirming the county’s intent to relinquish ownership and maintenance of a 1.6‑mile section of the Yelm‑Rainier‑Tenino Trail to the City of Yelm. Public Works Director Karen Weese said the transfer will add the city as a secondary sponsor in the original RCO grant agreement and allow the city to manage improvements on the portion inside its urban growth area.

On the Rochester Main Street project, Thurston County Engineer Matt Unzelman said the county was awarded $1,000,000 from the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities program for planning, design and right‑of‑way phases for roughly a half‑mile of U.S. 12 through downtown Rochester. "This is phase 1 of the project," Unzelman said, listing planned upgrades including sidewalks, enhanced crossings, pedestrian lighting, traffic calming, curb extensions and access control. The Board authorized the director to execute the project prospectus and local agency agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to obligate the funds.

Separately, Public Works reported a $700,000 federal award for the design and right‑of‑way phases of the Tilly Road bridge replacement over Beaver Creek (project CPC61547). Staff said the crossing serves as a detour for I‑5 during emergencies and may soon be weight‑restricted; commissioners authorized the director to execute the prospectus and local agency agreement to obligate funds.

Why it matters: the actions move three locally significant infrastructure projects from planning toward design and right‑of‑way acquisition, potentially improving safety and access and enabling later construction funding efforts.

Next steps: Public Works will return with amended agreements and further requests as necessary for right‑of‑way acquisition and construction funding.