Transportation | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Intercity Transit Authority members voted to reelect Lacey City Council member Caroln Cox as chair on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.

Intercity Transit Authority retains board leadership

The Intercity Transit Authority voted to retain its board leadership and committee assignments at its annual ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/9/26

Intercity Transit is going to buy 18 new hybrid buses in a deal valued at $31.4 million.

Intercity Transit to spend $31.4 million on 18 hybrid buses

It's going to be out with the old and in with the new for buses at Intercity ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/28/26 | 9 comments

Associate Planner Michael Mills presented the Thurston Regional Planning Council’s comprehensive plan review and certification process at a meeting on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.

Olympia's transportation plan cleared by Thurston Regional Planning Council

The City of Olympia’s transportation plan was endorsed by the Thurston Regional Planning Council, confirming it is consistent with the regional ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/22/26

A map shows where underground utility work is taking place on Kingswood Drive in Tumwater.

Underground utility work leads to traffic lane restrictions in Tumwater

Traffic restrictions are going to impact motorists traveling on Kingswood Drive at Littlerock Road SW in Tumwater for the next ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 1/20/26

Thurston Regional Planning Council Planning Manager Allison Osterberg briefed the Transportation Policy Board on federal transportation reauthorization, including potential gas adjustments, at a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Transportation Policy Board gets update on federal reauthorization process

With federal transportation funding set for renegotiation in September, members of the Transportation Policy Board are prioritizing safety ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/19/26

A map shows the site of the 2nd Avenue Pedestrian & Bicycle Improvements Project in Tumwater.

$4.2 million 2nd Avenue road project to start in Tumwater

A $4.2 million road improvement project is about to get underway in the City of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/19/26 | 6 comments

Intercity Transit and the City of Lacey are partnering for a demonstration project to test AI-enabled traffic sensors in Lacey Transit Center and Martin Way. The sensors would track movement along the corridor to generate data for improving safety and operations.

Intercity Transit, Lacey partner on monitoring project to improve safety, operations on Martin Way

Intercity Transit is partnering with the City of Lacey to install and operate artificial intelligence-enabled sensors at 10 intersections near the Lacey ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/14/26 | 3 comments

Tumwater Transportation & Engineering Department EngineerRyan Blaser briefed the Tumwater Public Works Committee about two roundabouts being planned for Tumwater Boulevard at Interstate 5.

Design work eyed for southbound roundabout at Interstate 5 and Tumwater Boulevard

The City of Tumwater is moving forward with early design work for a roundabout at the southbound Interstate 5 on-ramp and off-ramp at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/9/26 | 9 comments

Vehicles motored along the 4th Avenue Bridge in Olympia on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2026.

Olympia City Council calls for study of speed safety cameras

In a unanimous vote, the Olympia City Council directed the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to research the potential use ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/8/26 | 17 comments

Crews are expected to transition back to daytime work on the Fones Road Corridor Project on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Fones Road project moving into next phase

The multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project is heading into its next phase following the installation of underground utilities ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/15/25 | 3 comments

The Martin Way Crossing Strategy outlines 10 priority sites for improved pedestrian crossings along the corridor.

Thurston Regional Planning Council calls for coordinated approach to upgrades on Martin Way

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) members are urging a unified, countywide approach to upgrading the Martin Way corridor ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/9/25 | 5 comments

Sidewalk replacement work at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Plum Street in downtown Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025.

Sidewalk replacement work underway at 4th Avenue and Plum Street in Olympia

A short stretch of 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia is getting some work done in order to make the area safer for bicyclists, motorists ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/2/25

Thurston Regional Planning Council completes planning phase of Martin Way Crossing Strategy

The Thurston Regional Planning Council has wrapped up the planning phase of the Martin Way Crossing Strategy and will present a final report ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/1/25 | 3 comments

The Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia, as seen on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Olympia City Council to get update on Intercity Transit’s 2026 system overhaul

The Olympia City Council is expected to receive a briefing about Intercity Transit’s planned system redesign, which will transform bus service ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/28/25 | 11 comments

Olympia School District partners with PSE on clean energy project

Puget Sound Energy has installed three vehicle-to-grid (V2G) fast charging stations at the Olympia School District in order to increase the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/28/25 | 1 comment

A proposed hydrogen fueling system site at Intercity Transit’s Pattison campus. The Olympia Site Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the project, which aims to support zero-emission fleet plan. The conference was held on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025.

Intercity Transit making progress on hydrogen fueling and storage system project

Intercity Transit is moving forward with its zero-emission fleet of buses. The agency presented a hydrogen fueling and storage system ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 3 comments

Open house set for Capitol Way project in Olympia

The City of Olympia is going to unveil a $14 million comprehensive transportation project for Capitol Way and Capitol Boulevard, which targets ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/18/25 | 10 comments

An alternate driving route for motorists in the vicinity of Fones Road in Olympia.

Nighttime work on Fones Road to run through December

Ongoing nighttime work on Fones Road in Olympia is expected to extend through December, as crews continue to work on installing a new ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/3/25 | 1 comment

Henderson Boulevard and Eskridge Boulevard roundabout work to begin on Oct. 27

A City of Olympia contractor is scheduled to begin modifications and upgrades to the roundabout at Henderson Boulevard and ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 10/24/25

A planned peanut-shaped roundabout at Linwood and 2nd avenues in Tumwater aims to address traffic and safety issues caused by the current configuration of the intersection.

$3.5M contract authorized for construction of roundabout in Tumwater

The Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Debbie Sullivan to award a contract with Active Construction Inc. for the construction of a peanut-shaped ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/23/25 | 3 comments