Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Thurston County authorizes trail transfer, Rochester Main Street planning and Tilly Road bridge project
Summary
The board authorized staff to pursue intergovernmental and WSDOT agreements: a letter to RCO to transfer 1.6 miles of the Yelm–Rainier trail to the city of Yelm, acceptance of $1 million for Rochester Main Street planning and a $700,000 federal design/right‑of‑way allocation for the Tilly Road bridge replacement.
The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized multiple public‑works actions meant to improve trails, pedestrian safety and a locally important bridge.
Public works Director Karen Weese asked the board to authorize a letter of intent to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) confirming the county’s plan to relinquish ownership and maintenance of a 1.6‑mile portion of the Yelm–Rainier trail inside the Yelm urban growth area to the city of Yelm. Weese said the parcels were originally acquired with an RCO grant and that RCO and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) retain certain interests; the letter will begin the process to amend the original agreement to add Yelm as a secondary sponsor.
The board also authorized execution of a project prospectus and local agency agreement with WSDOT for the Rochester Main Street Improvements Phase 1 project after county engineer Matt Anselman said the county was awarded $1,000,000 in state funding (Sandy Williams Connecting Communities program). The planning and design work will cover about a half‑mile of US‑12 in Rochester and include sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, lighting, traffic calming and curb extensions.
Finally, public works reported receipt of $700,000 in federal funding for design and right‑of‑way acquisition for the Tilly Road bridge replacement over Beaver Creek, a detour route for I‑5. The board authorized the director to execute the project prospectus and accompanying agreements.
Each of the three items carried on voice vote; the board thanked staff and interjurisdictional partners and said they expect to return with amended agreements and next steps for right‑of‑way and construction funding.
