Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project gets seal of approval in Tumwater

The City of Tumwater closed out the Linwood Avenue sidewalk improvement project, which features improved pedestrian connections between Michael T. Simmons Elementary School and surrounding neighborhoods.  

As part of its consent agenda at a meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the Tumwater City Council authorized Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff to sign the final acceptance of work with Northwest Cascade, the construction firm hired for the project.

The council's action also authorized the release of the performance bond tied to the project, which was physically completed on June 10, 2025. 

The construction effort involved multimodal improvements along Linwood Avenue from Second Avenue to Susitna Lane. The project resulted in the following improvements: 

• 3,750 linear feet of new or reconstructed sidewalk

• 16 pedestrian crossings

• 31 new or improved curb ramps

• 87,000 square feet of repaving  

• 3,700 linear feet of new curb and gutter. 

The upgrades included standardizing bicycle lanes, as well as new curb extensions, road markings, signages and stormwater improvements.

The intersection of Lake Park Drive was also reconfigured through the addition of a pedestrian refuge to improve safety and visibility for motorists. 

Northwest Cascade completed the project for $1,683,380, which was 15.96 percent above its original bid of $1,451,572. 

At a public works committee meeting on March 5, Colby Fletcher, an Engineer for the City of Tumwater's Engineering and Transportation Department, said the project encountered several necessary additions and unforeseen challenges.

To account for the additional costs, he said staff requested and secured the city council’s approval in May 2025 to increase the firm’s contract with a cap of no more than 20% of its original amount. 

One such unforeseen component was the redesign of the Seventh Avenue intersection, which Intercity Transit requested to relocate a bus stop from Fifth Avenue to Seventh Avenue. 

The project was funded through the city’s Transportation Benefit District and Transportation Capital Facility Plan fund, as well as a $393,750 fuel tax grant from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board.