This Olympia road will see congestion, noise and debris for 8 weeks starting Monday
Drivers can expect weeks-long traffic congestion on Fones Road on Olympia’s east side starting Monday.
Puget Sound Energy crews will be moving gas lines along the roadway from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day for eight weeks, according to a City of Olympia news release.
The construction work is being done in advance of a larger city project to improve the Fones Road Corridor which serves residential, commercial and industrial properties, including Home Depot and Crown Beverage Packaging.
Construction on the $18 million project is expected to start later this summer and be completed by the end of 2025, according to the city’s website.
Flaggers will direct traffic through lane closures, and detours will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists in the area starting Monday, the city says. The city also advised the public to expect large machinery, truck activity, noise, vibration, dust and debris.
Affected residents and businesses should be notified by PSE of any direct impacts during the scheduled work, the release says. Anyone with questions or concerns about PSE’s work can contact Project Manager Matt Foster at 253-303-9373.
So what improvements will be made after the gas lines are moved? The city says contractors will repave the entire street, build sidewalks and bike lanes, and improve truck access and circulation near industrial sites and commercial properties.
Work crews also plan to build a new compact roundabout at Red Leaf Townhomes Driveway and create a safer connection to transit stops on 18th and Pacific avenues, according to the city website.
Additionally, the city plans to improve the Woodland Trail crossing at Fones Road as well as add landscaping and lighting along the corridor. Lastly, the city intends to upgrade water and stormwater systems.
More details along with maps and mock-ups of the improvements can be found by visiting olympiawa.gov/fonesroad. Questions about the city’s plans can be directed to Project Manager Jim Rioux at 360-753-8484 or fonesroad@ci.olympia.wa.us.
