Project Status - It's Time for Ribbon Cutting!

In just six short months the I-5 Bridge has gone from groundbreaking to ribbon-cutting! Construction of the Chehalis-Western Trail I-5 Bridge got underway in early July. The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Olympic Region was project lead for the I-5 Bridge. Wilder Construction Company out of Everett, Washington was contractor. Construction of the I-5 Bridge cost about $1.6 million. The I-5 Bridge will enable cyclists and pedestrians to cross I-5 between South Sound Center and Martin Way without having to detour to Lilly Road or Sleater-Kinney Road. An at-grade pedestrian crossing on Martin Way will make crossing that street safer and easier, too. Construction progressed throughout the summer and fall. A major milestone occurred in August when the girders were swung into place over I-5. Suddenly the bridge seemed more real than it ever had before. Since then crews have been busy with building the bridge deck and railing, and constructing the connections on both sides of the interstate. Despite the wettest November on record, Wilder’s crews stayed on schedule.

Thank you to the adjacent neighborhood and businesses for your patience and support during this construction phase!

Partners Make the Difference

“Bridging the Gap” is the product of a successful community partnership in action. Initiated by a $500,000 grant from Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) in 2001, the project partnership expanded to include Thurston County, the cities of Lacey and Olympia, and the WSDOT Olympic Region, with support from former Representative Sandra Romero, Congressman Brian Baird, and Senator Patty Murray.

Capital Development Company also worked closely with the project team. These partners are working together to help turn the dream of a fully connected urban trail system into a construction-ready project. More partnerships are being sought to complete the project as envisioned.

The Rest of the Project

Project partners have already turned their attention to the other two project segments. One of those will span Martin Way, alleviating the busy at-grade crossing for travelers. The second segment will result in a permanent alignment behind South Sound Center and a bridge over Pacific Avenue. This segment will connect to the existing trail in the vicinity of 12th Avenue and to the east-west Woodland Trail that received construction funding in 2006.

Total project cost is approximately $11 million. About $8 million of that has already been secured.

Trail Connections

Communities throughout the Thurston County region are working together to create an inter-connected network of trails that meet all kinds of mobility needs – commuting, recreating, shopping, and more! Trails provide a safe, convenient, and healthy way of getting around the community for people of all ages and abilities.

For more information on "Bridging the Gap" projects or to be put on a project notification list, please contact Thera Black at (360) 956-7575 or info@trpc.org.