Olympia, Tumwater project planned for improving pedestrian, bicycle access along Mottman Road 

Olympia and Tumwater are set to spend $7.6 million to construct pedestrian and bicycle improvements along Mottman Road. 

The Tumwater Public Works Committee agreed on Thursday, May 23, to endorse to its city council an interlocal agreement with Olympia to share costs for the project. 

The project will be wholly funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Connecting Washington program, which required no matching funds from the cities. The grant also funds all stages of the project from pre-planning to construction.  

As the project affects most of Olympia’s part of Mottman Road, the city will take 75% of the grant funding. 

Assistant Transportation Director Mary Heather Ames said that the project aims to improve Mottman Road to a standard that serves all modes of transportation, including walking and cycling. 

The project spans 3,330 feet of Mottman Road, starting from RW Johnson Boulevard and terminating 815 feet east of the entrance to South Puget Sound Community College just before Mottman Road crosses Crosby Boulevard.  

The project proposes the construction of bike lanes, pavement repairs, new striping, additional landscaping, and street lighting. 

A significant component of the project is the construction of a pedestrian bridge on Percival Creek. The crossing currently lacks proper pedestrian and bicycle access. 

Olympia will take the lead on the project and oversee the design, permitting, and construction of the project through consultants. The city will also administer the grant and reimburse Tumwater for costs related to the project. 

Tumwater, with a quarter of the funding, will oversee parts of the project within its city limits. The city’s portion of the project starts from RW Johnson Boulevard and extends 755 feet east where Olympia’s part of the project begins.  

As the north side of Mottman Road is within Tumwater’s jurisdiction, the city will also assist Olympia in communicating with property and business owners whose rights-of-way may be acquired by Olympia. 

Ames said that they are looking to hire a consultant by this summer. Construction is expected to take place starting next year until 2028 but may be extended depending on various factors. One reason the project might take longer is if it is determined that the culvert at Percival Creek would need to be replaced, according to the assistant director.