Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
The topic of traffic in Yelm and surrounding regions has been discussed by local residents for decades, and Cody Colt, Yelm Public Works director, highlighted several projects set for the next two years that, he believes, will transform the state of traffic in this area.
Colt first highlighted several transportation projects set to occur in Yelm by 2028 — including two roundabouts at the intersection of SR 507 and Bald Hill Road SE, and Morris Road SE and Bald Hill Road SE.
He noted that both of the roundabouts are “on track” and “everything is good to go.”
“I imagine it will be the end of summer next year when construction will most likely start on those roundabouts,” Colt said. “We’re in the right of way acquisition right now, but design is pretty much done for that. Council has been monitoring it, but we’re just getting to the last bit of design and working with WSDOT on some approvals.”
Colt added that the two roundabouts will take 12 to 18 months to complete, and specified that roads will not be closed during the day — but that drivers should expect some “fun detours.”
The director described the addition of these two roundabouts as a precursor to another roundabout being added in the region at the intersection of SR 507 and SR 702 in front of McKenna Elementary.
Pierce County will construct the third roundabout. Pierce County is also currently installing a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of SR 702 and Harts Lake Road South and at the intersection of SR 507 and 208th St E.
Colt also highlighted the Rhoton Road reconstruction project, which anticipates going to construction in late 2027 or early 2028. Like the roundabouts, he anticipates a 12-to-18 month construction timeframe.
“Rhoton Road will be the new artery coming in from the Yelm Loop,” Colt said. “Right now, everybody comes down Cullens Road. You’ll actually come down Rhoton Road once the loop is done. It will be a quicker way to get into downtown. That road will be improved with wider lanes. There will be a shared use path, 10-foot, that will connect the trail to the loop trail.”
Colt also highlighted Phase 1 of the Veterans Walk and Memorial Park, which was recently approved by Yelm City Council to go to construction. Work will begin on Phase 1 in the coming weeks and will take place through the remainder of 2026.
“Phase 1 will add the turn lane to Mill Road, widen the intersection, add sidewalks on Mill Road on 507 all the way down to Ridgeline, which will be really good,” Colt said. “We expect them to start construction in three weeks. It could be a little bit earlier, but they need to get everything ordered and out on the site.”
While Phase 1 of the project will only bring utilities into the actual parkspace, Colt anticipates funding for Phase 2 of the Yelm Veterans Park and Memorial Walk being acquired next year through multiple sources.
“Phase 2 will be all of the monuments, the entry way — everything,” Colt said. “It will be the rest of the park. It’s going to be a beautiful park too.”
Lastly, Colt highlighted the activated alleyway project — formally known as Fuller Footpath. The City of Yelm was able to secure a majority of the funding for this project through Rep. Marilyn Strickland’s office earlier in the year.
Bids for the project will close in a week or two, according to Colt. Construction will begin later in the year.
“We’re looking at an October timeframe, I’d imagine, for construction to start. That will be open and ready for the summer of next year,” Colt said. “You’re going to have a connection where the alleyway will connect to Second Street, which will connect to the event. You’ll have three or four blocks of whatever event is going on. The Nisqually Valley BBQ Rally can grow. Prairie Days can continue to grow. Other places can continue to grow because we’ll have this added space.”
