Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Port of Olympia awarded a $1.07 million contract to Miles Resources, a Puyallup-based construction firm, to beef up a stretch of Marine Drive NE in Olympia to better handle heavy freight traffic.
The Port of Olympia Commission authorized Executive Director Alex Smith to execute the contract at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 11.
The project deals with a one-half mile segment of Marine Drive from the marine terminal gate to Olympia Avenue.
According to a July 28 presentation by Port of Olympia Public Works Program Manager James Sommer, construction crews would remove all material within the full width of the road, before adding back 6 inches of crushed material and another 6 inches of asphalt.
The existing asphalt layer on the road is 4 inches thick at most.
The project also includes pavement striping and updating all current pedestrian ramps to ensure compliance with the American with Disabilities Act.
The port opened the project for competitive bidding and received eight submissions before the bid period ended on Aug. 1. Staff identified Miles Resources as the lowest and most responsive bidder.
Funding for the project primarily comes from a grant by the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.
According to Sommer, once construction starts, it would take 45 days to complete the project.
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mhjwilson
The last time I was on this road it looked to be in good shape and there are other places in the city that need improvement. Or is the port just spending money because they have it?
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
The_Armed_Gardener
That's one of the only roads in Olympia that isn't total garbage. I get that the city wants to leech money off every profitable endeavor that makes the mistake of coming here, but that's not bang for the buck; it's **** sucking to keep a relationship solvent.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
johnvaneenwyk
Nothing like trying to be a world class marine terminal despite no shippers wanting to use it. So now the Port prepares for more “heavy freight traffic?” Just rip up the dollars and use them for confetti to celebrate the losing contract they have with Weyerhauser.
It never ends.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
Not understanding why we are paying the state so the Port can apply for that money. The Port has taxing authority. Also not understanding what is currently wrong with the road. Last time I drove it there were no lumps or potholes. Hopefully folk are asking about this during the Port Commissioner campaigns.
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
BevBassett
Is this yet another example of the taxpayers subsidizing Weyerhaeuser's heavy logging trucks? Those logging truck are so heavy they already degrade other roads leading to the Port's log yard. ~~ Well, it certainly looks like it: "The project deals with a one-half mile segment of Marine Drive from the marine terminal gate to Olympia Avenue."
The Port of Olympia with it decades of sleazy dishonest accounting practices already has trouble concealing how many millions Thurston County taxpayers already subsidize Weyerhaeuser with. Now here is yet another clear example of how we are being incessantly screwed one more time again.
I, for one, am thoroughly fed up with how the POO takes our tax money and public assets and resources and moves those assets and resources right into private hands--be they the Teamsters, or the yachters, or the private airplane owners, or the multitude of expensive consultants, or the developers, or the bureaucracy which is the POO--not to mention the millions we give to Weyerhaeuser each year through direct losses from the Marine Terminal--partially hidden by dishonest public accounting figures.
Long past time to shut it all down!
Unsoeld and Toompas for Port Commission might offer some hope for relief.
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
Snevets
What a fecking joke!
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@THE Armed Gardner? The POO makes NO Profit!!! They Suck on TCs TAX PAYERS constantly. They have made ZERO Profit in Over 10 years. CLOSE THE MARINE TERMINAL!
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@JULES JAMES.. YOUR waiting foe OTHERS TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS? WRONG!! ASK THEM YOURSELF. PLEASE GET INVOLVED
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
OvercastDays
The port is the most continually bemusing branch of local government, but not deserving of this level of hate. They are merely incompetent, not malicious. I think it’s fine to be upset about their practices and especially insularity, but this road restructuring isn’t worth being upset about, considering the funding is from a Washington (or ‘Washinton’ I suppose?) state DOT grant. The logging trucks are coming regardless, unless and until the people of Thurston County vote for enough anti-marine terminal candidates. Regardless, it’s a pretty clear indication of their desire to make the marine terminal a more profitable and attractive operation, while at the same time the necessary Deschutes estuary restoration will release a bunch of sediment every year into the harbor.
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
KimDobson
Weyerhaeuser's heavy logging trucks? Those logging truck are so heavy they already degrade other roads leading to the Port's log yard. ~ I agree with Bev .They also have ruined the approach to Plum Street near the Freeway many times . Weyerhaeuser should foot the 1.07 million dollar contract to repair Marine view Drive. I am not surprised its breaking up ,its' built over the Dioxin laced wood treatment plant fill dredge spoils from Swantown that Hands on Children's Museum is also built on ! Unsoeld and Toompas for Port Commission !
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
RondaLarsonKramer
@OvercastDays Thanks for your comment. Malicious, no. But merely incompetent? That's also a no. Deceptive, yes. That's what makes people so mad. I just received a public records request from the Port that gave me a document that revealed another example of deceptive practices and statements by Port staff. That's why I'm urging everyone to vote for Jerry Toompas and Krag Unsoeld for Port Commissioner in November. Those two candidates will be much better able than their opponents to withstand attempts by staff to mislead them. Those two candidates' ears are open to feedback from community members and will listen to us when they are on the commission. This ability to listen to community members is one of the most important ingredients to being an effective public official. Members of the public are elected officials' best friends--telling them things that staff will not tell them. We are an ally, not an enemy. Most local government elected officials in this county understand this, from my experience. They understand that taxpayers are who they serve. But not at the port. It stands alone in this respect, and it has an $8 million tax fund that it misuses as a result. I sure hope Krag and Jerry win.
Thursday, August 14, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
This road is just fine. This is a push to favor the wealthy Swantown boat owners.
Friday, August 15, 2025 Report this
OvercastDays
@RondaLarsonKramer I stand somewhat corrected. I’m definitely pulling for Krag as well, and it’d be great to have more environmentally sound decisions being made there. I guess I just don’t see a feasible alternative to having a marine terminal where it is right now, and so am a bit confused by people’s reactions. The port peninsula is a large patch of fill land, and not a good or stable place to build, say, a bunch of apartment buildings, with sea level rise also on the horizon. On the other hand, restoring any significant area would be a massive boondoggle with the amount of contamination and industrial infrastructure that’s out there. But, I understand the port has been financially deceptive and isn’t worthy of anyone’s benefit of the doubt. I hope for some fresh ideas to be brought in this election cycle, and maybe there is a solution I’m overlooking out there.
Friday, August 15, 2025 Report this
mhjwilson
Another comment if I may add it. How about getting Weyerhaeuser to move the logs to Aberdeen and shut this waste of money down? BTW how much more does it cost to bring a ship down the sound compared to loading one at the coast?
Friday, August 15, 2025 Report this
JnNwmn
I hope everyone that wants better Port of Olympia strategies with your TAX money will vote for Unsoeld and Toompas.
Saturday, August 16, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@RondaLarsonKramer, Thank you for your honest comments. Many of the concerned Public over the years have had similair experiences with the Port its Staff, even Commissioners, engaging in Deceptive Stats, Comments, even Accusations of Harrassment of Executive Directors by one Samantha Gibboney claiming Sexual Harrassment, no was ever found... yes,yes, Deceptive as Hell, espically during Election runs! They, they being, port staff are pushed by,(my opinion) longshore union personal and employees to manipulate income ledgers, expenditures, and other documents to make the POO look like its doing something to explain where the money goes. Very Hinky! So round and round they go with the Lies. As you sound like someone that does their "homework" and pulls Public Records for examination, whatever "statements" by employees, or Port Staff that you notice are not truthful, and can prove by Comparing with Public Records, is Very Damning Evidence to All In that room, and do not forget that meeting is Broadcast to the Countys Listeners on TCC TV. So, showing that they manipulate statements, numbers, is good for the Public to see. UNSOELD AND J. TOOMPASS would be excellent replacements for Commissioners.
Saturday, August 16, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
@JulesJames yes they have ability to raise the Tax Levy or Do they? Meaning they have done that for a couple years. And i think they are at the Max Allowed by Law. During an Election Cycle it makes them look bad... AND THE PORT IS ALL ABOUT "LOOKING GOOD". There POCAC chair is completely deceptive, and was a Marina Owner 5 years ago, he is all about doing NOTHING as a Solution to Expenditures. The Longshore are desperate for stable Work, at Tax payers Expense.
Saturday, August 16, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
Beverly Basset, Kim Dobson, could tell alot of the Days of E.Gallagan (basically fired), Sam Gibboney, same as Gallagan, Joe Downing, B. Mc Gregor, and several Employees deceptive practices. At that Time they were sued and Lost 1.3 Million to an Enviromental Clean Water Act lawsuit in US District Court in Tacoma. 2018-19. So, after that Gibboney was Chased out for trying to mainuplate her employment record into her Favor.
Saturday, August 16, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
The Sediment from the Dechutes only adds sediments to the Bay. But also covers the Dioxions from "free floating" around they Bay.
Dredging causes pollutants to " travel thru the Marine Enviroment. Dredging is only nessessary for The POO and Olympia Y. Club and waterfront Marinas, all which pay some costs of dredging.
CLOSE THE MARINE TERMINAL its NOT A Viable Business Model any longer!
Saturday, August 16, 2025 Report this
MaxiDu
While much of what the port does is a waste of money and just adds to pollution, Marine Drive is under built. Just bike or walk along it and you can see that the structure is inadequate. Cheaper and easier to fix now than for it to break apart further.
Sunday, August 17, 2025 Report this
Boatyarddog
NOW i know why Hempstads Slogan is Leadership In A Storm. THEY Truly haven't a Clue AsTo how to solve the POO Financial Issues. THEY NEED TO SHUT THE MARINE TERMINAL DOWN. REASON IS CLEAR..
TRASHED ECOMONY DUE TO BAD FEDERAL POLICY!
Friday, August 29, 2025 Report this