Olympia Councilmember Clark Gilman is challenging city staff to pursue bolder transportation reforms to make progress on climate and mobility goals.
Joey Jones, the city’s Public Works project engineer, attended the Finance Committee meeting on Monday and gave an overview of the city's transportation projects.
Attending the same meeting, Gilman acknowledged the planned projects in Olympia's Capital Facilities Plan as "good stuff." However, he noted that Olympia has seen the number of vehicles and driving continue increasing rather than decreasing.
"We got a slap in the face reality check in the climate retreat -- that we have not moved the needle. We still see an increase in the number of vehicles and miles traveled," Gilman said, adding, "If we intend to make progress on our climate goals, this is not the path."
Gilman wants the city to prioritize transformative projects addressing vehicle emissions and pedestrian accessibility.
He wanted to see Olympia focus its efforts and resources on projects aimed at slowing traffic speeds on arterial roads. He advocated projects like greening Capitol Way, converting one-way streets back to two-way streets, redesigning downtown zones to be more pedestrian-friendly, and other initiatives that would change how people move around in a way that supports climate goals.
"If that climate report is not enough, what triggers us to say this incremental work is not creating any gains at this point?" Gilman said. "When do we decide to go bold and say we want 15 and 20 miles an hour around downtown for several blocks and to slow the arterials through our town, so it's not a highway anymore… how would we begin to structure those difficult decisions?"
The city is moving ahead with plans to expand bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Jones provided an update on transportation projects currently in the works. That includes:
Jones mentioned that several additional projects are outlined in Olympia's current CFP beyond the next two years. Sidewalks are proposed for Boulevard Road, Eastside Street, and 22nd Avenue. Multiple pathways and trails are in the works to expand the active transportation network. Pedestrian crossing upgrades along Pacific Avenue are also listed.
In addition, the CFP includes conducting a safety study of the Lilly Road corridor. This project was identified through a previous analysis as part of developing the city's street safety plan. Jones pointed out that these projects are in the early stages of conceptual design and have yet to be allocated full funding.
Jones stated that the city would undertake two big projects in the next six years: Martin Way and Mottman Road. He noted that Martin Way, which the city considered an important transit corridor, has already undergone significant study and conceptual design work. The plan would be to transform the roadway similarly to Fones Road to add bicycle and pedestrian features because it serves high-frequency transit.
"We are considering seeking federal funds to complete this project's design work and begin construction. The earliest we would see construction beginning on this project would be in the 2028 to 2030 timeframe," Jones said.
The project engineer shared that Mottman Road is a joint project between Olympia and Tumwater. He noted that the project has already secured grant funding.
He explained that with the project, the city intends to construct a new bike and pedestrian bridge to remedy a significant barrier to biking and walking where Mottman Road crosses Percival Creek. The construction of this collaborative effort could begin in either 2027 or 2028.
Jones said the Wiggins Road project would involve replacing the roadside ditch with a culvert through a joint effort with Water Resources. The plan is to add bike and pedestrian amenities on at least one side. The construction is tentatively planned for 2027 in the CFP but likely needs to be delayed due to lack of funding.
While they had yet to identify the construction year, the roundabouts project would move forward in the next six years. Jones noted that roundabouts are important for bike/pedestrian safety and smoother vehicle traffic flow.
In 2023, the city council approved using a new 0.1% Transportation Benefit District sales tax, projected to raise $3.1 million yearly, for bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Jones proposed the possible use of sales tax revenues, such as fully funding some grant-matched projects to allow them to be constructed more quickly. He said the Downtown bike corridor, NW bike corridor, and 4th Avenue and Plum Street bike and pedestrian safety improvements have grants, but they need a small amount of additional funds.
He added that the funding could also go towards completing other bike and pedestrian projects. These are the Boulevard Road sidewalk, Eastside Street and 22nd Avenue sidewalk, Pathways, Pacific Avenue pedestrian crossings, and Lilly Road corridor safety study projects. The fund could also contribute to new CFP projects, such as Martin Way pedestrian crossings, State Avenue bike and pedestrian safety improvements, and 2025 sidewalk repair.
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JulesJames
The Councilperson seems to be confusing recreation with transportation. Bikes are fine. Bikes are fun. But bicycles are not ever going to be a mainstream method of transportation in Olympia, Thurston County, or Washington State. Billions of dollars have been spent on airbags, seat belts and crumple zones. More billions of dollar have been spent on heated leather seats and multi-speaker sound systems. To trade safety, comfort and range to save the planet by virtue-signaling with 19th Century technology? No thank you. At the state and federal level, we'll work on more efficient fuels for personal transportation. At the city and county level: just work on filling the potholes.
Thursday, April 25 Report this
Boatyarddog
Not a Darn thing wrong with Bikes.
There is too much apathy in developing alternative transportation.
Thursday, April 25 Report this
FrostedFlake
CHIP SEAL.
Chip seal is NOT a BICYCLE FRIENDLY thing to do. In an auto lane, chip seal is flattened in 2 weeks. In a bike lane, that NEVER happens, however long you wait. What we have instead is a quarter inch up and a quarter inch down every quarter inch forward. That is called vibration, and after a while the riders hands go numb. Then the problem really begins, because the riders wrists flop around, hammering the cartilige beween the wrist bones with the wrist bones, causing progressive, pemanent, damage.
DO NOT CHIP SEAL THE BIKE LANE. It is an assault on every single rider, ever afterward. Especially the road bike riders, who rest on their hands and have skinny, high pressure tires.
Friday, April 26 Report this
HotTractor
It's good to see pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure being developed. There has been too much investment in motor vehicle infrastructure and then a money grab by thoughtless, half hearted application of pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure to road projects.
Friday, April 26 Report this
BevBassett
It's the soap opera of our lives: As the World Burns.
No doubt that JulesJames pays lip service to loving any children or grandchildren he might have--even as he condemns them to a planet that will not support their life on earth if he--and others of us--continue to use fossil fuels. We must have alternatives!
Our time to make real change is fast running out. We need leaders who will do all they can to move us to change!
I deeply respect Clark Gilman. He is the only Olympia City Council member who demonstrates any true leadership to make positive desperately needed changes.
If there's a heaven, then Dan Leahy smiles down on Clark Gilman fighting for our children's futures.
Friday, April 26 Report this
JohnOuthouse
If you want kids to ride the city bus or a bike downtown make it safer.
Friday, April 26 Report this
Southsoundguy
Climate change is a scam.
Saturday, April 27 Report this