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City staff says Y Loop bids go out March 16; one right‑of‑way may require legal acquisition
Summary
City staff told the Yelm City Council the Y Loop project will be advertised for bids March 16, with a roughly one‑month bid window; construction on the first segment is expected to begin in summer and the overall project completion was estimated around 2028, but one outstanding right‑of‑way may require condemnation or estate resolution.
City staff updated the Yelm City Council that bid documents for the Y Loop roadway will be released March 16 and the formal bid window will run for about a month, with staff evaluating for the most qualified, lowest responsive bidder.
The Y Loop's initial construction segment will begin at the Walmart Boulevard roundabout and extend to 103rd Street, and staff said construction staging could start this summer. The first segment—including two roundabouts, road upgrades and a pedestrian/walking system—was estimated to take roughly six months to a year; staff gave a broad completion target for the overall loop of about 2028.
Staff emphasized the project remains a state‑led effort for the highways running through town, so the state will control major construction and sequencing while the city will coordinate permitting and traffic control where local roads are affected. Staff also said the city has obtained permitting and easements needed to streamline work when the state executes construction.
A single outstanding right‑of‑way acquisition is the remaining material issue, staff said. The city reported it cannot contact the property owner (staff described potential estate complications) and that the state or project sponsor may need to pursue legal acquisition procedures. Council members pressed for clarity; staff described condemnation only as the legal process to acquire required property rights when an owner cannot be reached, not an indication of bad faith by the owner.
Council and staff also tied the transportation project to concurrent local planning: recent annexations and multiple residential developments will create new sidewalk obligations and opportunities to connect pedestrian networks to the loop and existing roads. Staff said several developers are actively preparing parcels and that annexation timing affects when permit applications and construction can proceed.
Looking ahead, staff said they will continue coordination with the state and neighboring jurisdictions, finalize bid documents, and return to council with contract and right‑of‑way updates as needed.
