With 2023 officially gone, Mayor Joe DePinto anticipates transportation projects will continue to be an emphasis in Yelm in 2024 and beyond. He believes these projects, including the Yelm Loop, will alleviate traffic issues throughout Yelm.
DePinto said traffic relief will come from additional roundabouts in high-traffic areas, and with the construction and completion of the Yelm Loop project. The project has also been referred to as the “Yelm bypass” and dates back to the 1990s.
“We’re getting movement on these transportation projects now, and I grew up with the traffic and hearing politicians say there’s progress on these types of projects. That’s one of my biggest priorities, is fixing these traffic issues in Yelm,” DePinto said. “I think we made a lot of progress, and I’m proud to say the Yelm Loop is going to be started before my term is up. It wasn’t easy and was done through a lot of meetings with our local state reps, senators, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, WSDOT and even the governor. It’s been a long and hard process, and I know the people want it built right away.”
DePinto added that he’s working tirelessly to ensure the Yelm Loop project remains on schedule. He’s hopeful the project goes out to bid toward the end of 2024 in the city’s fourth quarter.
“The governor (Jay Inslee) was trying to move that back past 2030,” DePinto said. “I don’t think many residents know how close we were to getting that pushed back again, but I fought hard for it alongside our local state Rep. Andrew Barkis. He pushed for this hard, too, and has been a great advocate for this project. He wants this project completed as badly as I do.”
Along with the Yelm Loop, DePinto said four roundabouts will be installed in Yelm in the near future. Locations include at Five Corners, the traffic light near Walmart, on Vail Road and at the traffic light near McKenna Elementary.
“Those are going to transform traffic in Yelm as we know it. I’d say in less than seven years, we’ll have a much smoother traffic transition,” DePinto said. “We won’t have the traffic we do now. If I can leave something behind, as far as my legacy in Yelm, it would be improving traffic. I want us to not have to complain about traffic all the time.”
Aside from a focus on transportation improvements, DePinto said the city will continue to look for more recreational opportunities.
“We’re doing a great job here with Line Roy, our communications and recreation coordinator. She’s been doing great. We’ve gone from having two events in the city — Christmas in the Park and Prairie Days — to over 50 different events,” DePinto said. “It’s just amazing, and we’re doing it at such a low cost for the residents here in Yelm.”
He noted that a decision about a YMCA could also be on the horizon in 2024. He said he thinks the city will find out this year whether or not a Y will come to Yelm.
“We’re going to have some cost savings through the library, as well as a new home for the museum. This would be a new model for the YMCA, but it could potentially house both,” DePinto said. “They’re starting to partner out with different organizations, but I don’t think there’s ever been a library inside the YMCA. I’m excited for that.”
In addition to a YMCA, the City of Yelm is looking to create a partnership with Multicare. DePinto said initial conversations have revolved around a primary care and medical facility but not necessarily an urgent care.
