Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) members are urging a unified, countywide approach to upgrading the Martin Way corridor, stating that coordinated action is critical to improving safety, supporting future development, and securing state and federal funding.
At a TRPC meeting on Friday, Dec. 5, Senior Planner Aidan Dixon presented the Martin Way Crossing Strategy, a study identifying 10 priority locations for new and improved pedestrian crossings.
The strategy recommends mid-block crosswalks, enhanced lighting, curb ramps and safety treatments along key stretches of the corridor, with a particular focus on areas near transit stops and high-use destinations, such as the Lacey Food Bank.
Dixon said the project is finished, and there is funding left over. The study was originally scoped to a 30% design level, which provides a solid conceptual layout and early cost estimates.
Thurston County opted to advance its crossing designs to 60%, which includes detailed right-of-way analysis, engineering drawings and schematics.
“The other jurisdictions weighed in on whether they would like to go to 60% as well,” Dixon added.
He explained the City of Olympia already has its own plans for its segment of Martin Way. The city has secured funding and is moving its projects forward. Because of that, Olympia declined to advance its design level to 60% through the TRPC study.
The City of Lacey, Dixon said, chose to remain at 30% design. He explained that level gives Lacey enough flexibility to adjust elements later.
He said the consultant also prepared a grant opportunity memo to help jurisdictions identify potential funding sources for construction.
During the discussion, Thurston County Commissioner Carolina Mejia warned that without coordination the region risks creating a “patchwork” of inconsistent improvements as each jurisdiction acts independently.
Mejia said transportation planning must align with evolving density, zoning and future growth.
“Our residents use this corridor every day,” Mejia said. “They deserve a consistent, connected system.”
TRPC Chair Robin Vazquez said the planning council has already provided strategic options for shaping the corridor, but the jurisdictions have yet to choose a shared direction.
She said it is time for Olympia, Lacey and Thurston County to identify their priorities, whether housing density, commercial development or transit investments, and commit to a common plan.
She agreed with Mejia, saying “(We need) a consistent approach to how we develop Martin Way … it is an economic engine for our community, and it has a lot of potential.”
Olympia City Council member Robert Vanderpool noted the challenges of implementation.
“Upgrading Martin Way will require significant investment and political capital. Federal and state funding are uncertain, and even Olympia’s 2-mile segment is costly," he said.
"Any improvements, like crossing or bike lanes, need to align with future infrastructure, so phased implementation is necessary. Coordinated planning across jurisdictions is critical to ensure consistency and efficiency.”
Mejia added that Thurston County has previously sought federal support for Martin Way but paused its request this year after realizing the region lacked a united approach.
“When all jurisdictions pull together, we are more likely to get funding," she said.
The Martin Way Crossing Strategy study was funded through the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Connecting Communities Program under the Climate Commitment Act.
TRPC has worked with Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey and Intercity Transit to identify and analyze 15 potential crossing sites, which later on were cut to 10.
The selection criteria focused on accessibility, safety and equity, including proximity to transit, crash history, nearby destinations, residential density and public feedback.
Proposed crossing locations are as follows:
Olympia
Devoe Street
The Bark Store
4500 Martin Way
Thurston County
Between Carpenter Road and Kinwood Street
Thurston County Food Bank
School Street
7838 Martin Way
Lacey
Gerald Street
Blackhawk Lane
Copper Wood Lane
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
The_Armed_Gardener
Why does the fix always have to be money from outside of the city of Olympia to fix the regional problems the city of Olympia creates? Why? Why? Why??
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Report this
Mugwump
Here’s a crazy idea: focus on adding high density, multi-story housing along the corridor. Adding housing would inevitably increase tax revenue and consequently provide funding for transportation infrastructure.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Report this
GinnyBanana
Why are so many crossings in the middle of the busy arterial rather than at red lights? I hope the crossings will have flashing lights to warn motorists that pedestrians are crossing so that speeding traffic slows down. I'd hate to see pedestrians hit in the crossings because they thought they were safe. Drivers speed through Martin Way as if it were a freeway, without expecting pedestrians. Unless there are very obvious warning signals when pedestrians are crossing, drivers won't see people in the middle of the road, especially in the night and pouring rain. This is the problem now. I can't tell from the information in The Jolt what safety measures are proposed, only that crossings are planned.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Report this
LindaD
Martin Way is a major traffic route. Are we trying to turn it into something else? From an arterial to a street with many stops at many crosswalks, bike lanes and pedestrian walkways? If so, let's be a little more honest about it. Traffic will slow to a crawl, which might be the whole point, if we want a street rather than an arterial.
Thursday, December 11, 2025 Report this
Somney
Mugwump - I like your suggestion. Adding high density along this corridor makes sense. The stretch close to where St. Peter’s is would make sense. This is going to be on the new transit line that will supposedly almost resemble BRT going down Martin.
Sunday, December 14, 2025 Report this