The finish line is in sight for the long awaited phase two of the Yelm Loop project, which will redirect traffic coming from Interstate 5 away from Yelm Avenue and downtown Yelm, which already sees frequent traffic struggles.
During a Yelm City Council study session on Tuesday, March 5, Pat Hughes, city engineer, said that construction plans for the Yelm Loop project are nearly complete. He said the city will go out for bid on the project in January of 2025.
“The construction plans are 90% complete right now,” Hughes said. “The only thing that’s really still missing from the plan is the bridge that crosses over Yelm Creek. The reason for that is because we had to go through a great deal of cultural resource studies.”
Hughes added that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is currently working on the bridge portion of the construction plans.
Following the meeting, Mayor Joe DePinto said that construction for phase two is projected to begin in “early summer” of 2025. During the meeting, he said people will receive more updates now that the project is progressing.
For motorists driving the Yelm Loop starting near Walmart, Hughes said the new road will head north along Walmart Boulevard before approaching a new roundabout at 103rd Avenue. Following the new traffic circle, drivers will continue north to Canal Road Southeast’s current crossing and eventually to Flume Road Southeast.
The Yelm Loop, also known as Yelm Bypass, will continue to Railway Road Southeast near the Prairie Line Trail, then along to Wilkinsen Road Southeast, which will also feature a new roundabout. The stretch continues along to Northwest Rhoton Road, Yelm Creek and Cullens Road Northwest, before connecting to the already existing state Route 510, or phase 1 of the project.
“There will be a sound wall, a barrier wall … for these residents [living nearby],” Hughes said. “It’s not in the video, but there will be a sound wall built along the south side of the loop.”
Hughes said he’s been asked if the project could be “broken into three chunks” so other contractors could bid, as well.
“I have not seen any evidence that the plan set will be broken up, but that doesn’t mean the construction manager that gets the job couldn’t break it up and subcontract it into three pieces. It makes a lot of sense to do that,” Hughes said. “The neat part about this job, except for the section between the new roundabout at Walmart and the roundabout at 103rd, the entire corridor is in land that will not impact any traffic with construction. You won’t have to shut down traffic, change lanes. It’s all done on land outside of existing roadways.”
Councilor Brian Hess asked Hughes if semi-trucks or other large vehicles would be able to navigate the roundabouts without “popping up onto the curb” or “causing damage.”
He also asked Hughes if WSDOT plans to expand the loop from a two- to a four-lane road.
Hughes said he isn’t sure if WSDOT intends to expand the lanes. He stated that, not only is the Yelm Loop a WSDOT project, it will also be a truck route, ensuring that drivers will be able to drive safely and efficiently through the planned roundabouts.
“It’s taking the place, essentially, of coming into [Route] 510 from the northwest part of town, right through downtown, all the way out to Walmart,” Hughes said. “This will provide an alternate route for truck drivers.”
