Road paving to create nighttime closures of Fones Road in Olympia

Ongoing road paving is going to lead to full, nighttime closures of Fones Road in Olympia next week, as work crews make their way toward the finish line of the multimillion-dollar project.

The work is starting as early as Monday, Sept. 14, from just south of the Home Depot south driveway to 17th Way SE.

“The remainder of the paving going north from the south Home Depot (driveway) will continue through Friday, (Sept.) 18,” said the City of Olympia Public Works Department in a construction and traffic alert on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

“Access to individual properties may be closed for up to (four) hours at a time during this work. Residents that need to return or leave during paving operations should stage their vehicles outside of (the) paving area.”

Emergency vehicles and school buses will be allowed to pass through the work zone. The work will occur during regular nighttime hours, typically from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“In addition to the nighttime paving, daytime crews are currently working at the (Karen Fraser) Woodland Trail Crossing and installing a center curb (mid-block) between 5th (Avenue) SE and 6th (Avenue) SE extending to Pacific (Avenue),” said the City of Olympia Public Works Department.

Background

Construction on the Fones Road Corridor Project started in November 2024 with the goal of transforming it into a safer corridor for bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians and truckers.

The estimated cost of the corridor project is $24.5 million with the City of Olympia contributing more than $13 million. The city has also received more than $11 million in grants from state and federal sources to help pay for the project.

The project also aims to create a safer connection to transit stops on 18th and Pacific avenues, as well as add landscaping and lighting along the corridor, which measures less than three-quarters of a mile.

Construction work is expected to continue through fall.