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

Two women died after being hit by a vehicle at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Simmons Street in Olympia in July 2025.

Thurston Regional Planning Council to develop Regional Safety Action Plan

To address rising traffic fatalities across the region, the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) has issued a request for proposals to develop ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/13/25 | 4 comments

Route 9X is going to be a frequent express route between Capital Mall in West Olympia and Hawks Prairier Park in East Lacey. Intercity Transit plans to launch the route in May 2026, replacing The One and Routes 62A and 62B.

Intercity Transit to discuss major service changes with local agencies

Intercity Transit officials are going to meet with local government agencies through November to discuss major service changes scheduled to take effect in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/7/25 | 4 comments

Intercity Transit Marketing and Communications Officer Nick Demerice spoke about the Walk N Roll program at an Olympia City Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims October as 'Walk to School Month'

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating October 2025 as "Walk to School Month," joining a regional Walk N Roll initiative that ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/3/25 | 5 comments

This map shows the work area near the intersection of Fones Road SE and Pacific Avenue SE in Olympia.

Nighttime flashing signals at Pacific Avenue and Fones Road

Traffic signals at the intersection of Pacific Avenue SE and Fones Road SE are going into flashing status while crews work in and around the area during ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/1/25

The intersection of 4th Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Olympia, as seen on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 30, 2025.

City of Olympia to mark 'Week Without Driving' with 4th Avenue walk audit

A community-led walk audit in downtown Olympia is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, as part of the annual "Week Without Driving" campaign ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/30/25 | 15 comments

Nighttime work to take place near Fones Road and Pacific Avenue

Nighttime work is going to take place on Monday evening, Sept. 29, near the intersection of Fones Road SE and Pacific Avenue SE in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/29/25

The City of Olympia’s planned upgrade along Capitol Way includes new American with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps and safer crossings. Joey Jones, Senior Engineer with Olympia’s Public Works Department, presented the city’s Capitol Boulevard/Capitol Way overlay and lane reallocation project at a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

Engineer outlines Capitol Way redesign project in Olympia

The City of Olympia is exploring changes to Capitol Boulevard and Capitol Way that would reduce the road from four lanes to three ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/22/25 | 21 comments

Work on the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia started in November 2024.

Night work to restart on Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia

The multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia is chugging along with work crews nearing completion of the current section ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/17/25 | 1 comment

Port of Olympia consultant Peter Phillips, of Colibri NW discussed the potential of the port to engage in the manufacturing of electric ferries at a Port of Olympia Commission meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. Phillips mentioned three electric ferry makers that the port could look into partnering with in the future. From top to bottom, the vessels shown in Phillips' presentation were developed by Artemis from Belfast, Candela from Sweden and EV Maritime from New Zealand.

Port of Olympia consultant plants ideas for passenger ferry service, manufacturing of vessels

A Port of Olympia consultant outlined initial steps for bringing back passenger ferry service to South Puget Sound, as well as opportunities related to the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/25 | 12 comments

Pavement marking work in downtown Olympia

A pavement marking project is going to make the drive a little more difficult for motorists on some streets in downtown ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 9/11/25 | 2 comments

Intercity Transit seeking 4 members for Community Advisory Committee

Members of the public, who want to help shape local public transit, are encouraged to apply for a seat on the Intercity Transit Community Advisory ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/10/25

Thurston Regional Planning Council Planner Michael Mills presented a slide, which highlighted near-term opportunities for advancing high-capacity transportation. The Thurston Regional Planning Council met on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025.

Thurston Regional Planning Council approves transportation vision

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) unanimously approved a new regional vision and goals for high-capacity transportation ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/9/25 | 7 comments

Intercity Transit employees posed for a group photo with the first Toyota Sienna of its vanpool program. The Washington State Department of Transportation awarded the agency $710,000 in 2024 to support the purchase of 22 replacement vehicles for its vanpool fleet.

More riders using Intercity Transit’s vanpool program

Intercity Transit’s vanpool program continues to grow with more groups forming to utilize the service, according to an update by Vanpool Manager ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/9/25 | 1 comment

Draft transportation program up for review by Thurston Regional Planning Council

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is going to review a draft, four-year transportation improvement program at its meeting on Friday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/3/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners adopted revisions to speed limits on eight rural roads after a public hearing on Aug. 19, 2025. The ordinance lowered speeds to 25–40 miles per hour and aligned the schedule with posted field signs.

Thurston County enacts lower speed limits on 8 high-concern roads

Speed limits on eight Thurston County roads were adjusted through a new ordinance that revised the official traffic ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/28/25 | 2 comments

Road striping process to continue next week in Tumwater

A nighttime road striping process is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, and Sunday, Sept. 7, across the City of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/28/25

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

Tumwater moves forward with roundabout on Linwood and 2nd avenues

A peanut-shaped roundabout on Linwood Avenue and 2nd Avenue in Tumwater is moving forward with the possible start of construction near the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/25/25 | 15 comments

Nighttime Interstate 5 ramp closures planned between Maytown and Tumwater

Motorists are being encouraged to add more travel time to their trips because of nighttime closures to northbound Interstate 5 ramps between Maytown and ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 8/18/25

The City of Olympia secureda $1.18 million federal grant to improve pedestrian and bike safety along Martin Way with new crossings, bike lanes and safety features.

Martin Way safety improvement project in line for $1.18M in federal funding

The Olympia City Council is set to consider a resolution on Tuesday, Aug. 12, to accept roughly $1.18 million in federal funding for the Martin Way ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/11/25 | 3 comments

Intercity Transit is introducing two new routes to replace Route 620, the Olympia/Lakewood Express, starting on Sept. 7. Route 600 will be a direct, weekdays-only route to Lakewood, while Route 610 will have more stops and be available seven days a week.

Intercity Transit moving ahead with two new routes to Lakewood

Two new routes from Olympia to Lakewood are going to debut next month. The Intercity Transit Authority approved the new routes ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/11/25 | 2 comments