Monday, October 26, 2026
The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) approved legislative priorities for 2027, focusing on continued funding for the Nisqually River Bridge project.
TRPC is advocating for $37 million in state funding for the 2027–29 to continue environmental review, technical studies and preparations needed to move the project toward a future design-build contract.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has funding for the project in the current biennium, which ends in June 2027.
However, funding for the next biennium is currently listed at zero, according to TRPC Senior Planner Veronica Jarvis.
The project would improve the Interstate 5 crossing by addressing flooding and stability concerns, removing a fish passage barrier, improving stormwater treatment, adding a shared use path, and constructing a new crossing over the BNSF railway.
Several design options are under consideration, including bridges approximately 6,000 and 12,000 feet long.
At a TRPC meeting on Oct. 2, Jarvis described the Nisqually Bridge as a critical transportation artery for the region. She said traffic disruptions at the bridge can make it difficult for people to travel into and out of the area.
Early work, including environmental studies, is already underway. Jarvis said continued funding would help maintain momentum and avoid potential delays, duplicated work and higher costs if the project is put on hold.
Other regional stakeholders support the funding effort. The South Sound Military Communities Partnership has identified the Nisqually Bridge as its top legislative priority.
TRPC Executive Director Elissa Gertler said the organization has also discussed Interstate 5 transportation issues with the Puget Sound Regional Council and Portland Metro.
Regional officials are considering a broader coalition because improvements in one part of the corridor can shift congestion and problems to another area.
TRPC plans to continue outreach to other jurisdictions and transportation organizations as part of its legislative advocacy.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
SteveA
As this plan moves forward (as it should) the state needs to be strongly pressured to include the sound abatement measures they are conciously deciding to avoid integrating into the design. The Nisquyally valley, and especially teh Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Nat'l Wildlife Refugee do not need 80-plus decibels of freeway noise from an elevated structure blasting throughout the rural area and wildlife habitat. 300,000 annual visitors to the refuge are not there because they like 80 db of freeway noise!
Monday, October 5 Report this
Dogbody
This is seriously ugly bridge construction. It also looks like a piece of stick construction waiting for the first big earthquake. With the existing bridges, if knocked out by a quake, we can swipe some tactical bridging equipment from the army to get some traffic through. Lastly, get the I-5 crossing at Vancouver Wa done, or at lest started. That bridge is critical
Tuesday, October 6 Report this
Olyrkrgrrl
I agree with SteveA, that what ever they decide on, needs to have noise abatement!! It is thunderous in the refuge when traffic is high and the winds are in that direction. Not anything to live with. I will be looking for ways to comment on this...
Tuesday, October 6 Report this
swvoltz
Sound Transit will be in Dupont soon with their rail project. Nisqually is only 6 miles south of Dupont. Shouldn't we be planning to include a Sound Transit line in this design? Help get folks out of cars and into transit.
Thursday, October 8 Report this
ChuckCross
Just curious. who, how and when was it decided to bridge over the railroad tracks?? Why not go under them?? Has there been and economic evaluation, which can be released to the public, showing the cost advantage of bridging rather than tunneling under I-5 under the railroad??
Monday, October 12 Report this