The next phase of the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia is about to get underway with nighttime, underground utility work to start in the waning days of spring.
Work crews are scheduled to begin the work on Monday, June 9. The utility work will take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and last approximately three weeks.
The work area is located along Fones Road between the north entrance to Home Depot and Pacific Avenue SE.
“Construction activities will involve digging into the roadway and along the edge of the road to prepare to relocate overhead power to a (joint utility trench). Crews will also be digging into driveways in the same area,” the City of Olympia said in an update on the project.
“Steel plates will be placed to maintain driveway access, but if any temporary driveway closures are needed, residents and businesses will be notified one day in advance.”
The utility work will also impact a nearby trail crossing.
“The Karen Fraser Woodland Trail will remain open during this work, but there will be changes to the trail crossing on Fones Road,” the City of Olympia said.
“These changes will stay in place until the new enhanced crossing is completed at the end of project construction in (summer) 2026.”
Bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians are advised to follow posted signage in the area and use caution when crossing Fones Road or using the detour route.
The work on Fones Road is expected to become more involved as the project progresses. As a result, motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes, as a means to ensure the safety of work cres and people who live in the area.
Construction on the Fones Road Corridor Project kicked off in November with the goal of transforming it into a safer corridor for bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians and truckers.
The estimated cost of the corridor project is $24.5 million with the city of Olympia contributing more than $13 million. The city has also received more than $11 million in grants from state and federal sources to help pay for the project.
The project will also create a safer connection to transit stops on 18th and Pacific avenues, as well as add landscaping and lighting along the corridor, which measures less than three-quarters of a mile. Water lines, stormwater treatment and communication lines will also be upgraded.
Once completed, the corridor will feature two southbound travel lanes, one northbound travel lane, a center turn lane and a compact roundabout to improve traffic flow and afford motorists and truckers the ability to make a U-turn.
The compact roundabout will be located in between Home Depot Driveway and New Leaf Townhomes Driveway just shy of a planned mid-block crosswalk.
Fones Road will also be ripped up and repaved as part of the process. Road construction should be completed in summer 2026, based on a project timeline. Of note, the schedule is subject to change.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here