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State and Pacific Avenue Pedestrian and Bike Safety Project
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We are changing Pacific and State Avenues from Sawyer Street to Fir Street. These changes will create better conditions for people walking, biking, taking transit, and driving through this area.
Information session
We are holding an in-person information session on Thursday, February 20. Community members can view project concept graphics and project staff will share a short presentation followed by a Q&A session. Attendees are encouraged to share comments and ask questions.
When: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: City Hall, Council Chambers, 601 4th Avenue E, Olympia, WA
Planned changes
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State/Pacific Avenues and Wilson Street
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Separated bike lane: Bike lane is separated from traffic by on-street parking stalls and a painted buffer.
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Parking changes: Vehicle parking is moved away from the curb to separate the bike lane from traffic.
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New sidewalk: Street trees and planter strips will separate a section of the sidewalk from traffic.
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Raised pedestrian islands: Raised concrete islands separate cars from bicyclists. They also shorten a pedestrian's crossing distance, reducing their exposure to vehicles.
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Curb ramps: Upgrade all curb ramps to be more accessible to people using walking aids.
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New traffic pattern: To remove a conflict point on State Avenue, only bicyclists will pass through the concrete island to head west. All vehicle traffic will access Pacific/State Avenue using Wilson Street. This eliminates the yield-controlled merge for west-bound vehicle traffic.
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Separated bike lane: Green paint increases visibility of bicyclists at conflict points. A painted buffer and vertical elements separate the bike lane from traffic.
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State Avenue and Turner Street
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Bus platform: Raised concrete area allows buses to stay in the lane as passengers board, which helps keep transit running on time.
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Parking removal: Remove parking on the south side of State and Pacific Avenues between Sawyer and Fir Streets to make room for separated bike lanes and concrete islands.
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Raised green bike lane: Highlights the area dedicated to bicyclists and raises awareness of a potential conflict area with pedestrians.
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Curb ramps: Upgrade all curb ramps to be more accessible to people using walking aids.
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Concrete island: Separates cars from bicyclists and shortens the crossing distance for pedestrians.
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Green bike marking: Raises driver and bicyclist awareness of a potential conflict area with vehicles.
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Rebuilt sidewalk
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Separated bike lane: Painted buffers and parking stalls separate the bike lane from traffic.
Project benefits
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Makes it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
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Shortens the distance for pedestrians crossing the street, which reduces the time they are exposed to oncoming traffic.
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Raises awareness and visibility of conflicts between drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
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Improves mobility for people who have a wider range of abilities, such as people using a walking aid or less confident bicyclists.
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In-lane passenger boarding helps Intercity Transit buses stay on schedule.
Construction information
This work will happen in phases. First, we will install the concrete islands, sidewalks, and temporary striping. The first phase of the project is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025.
Next, we will resurface and permanently restripe the street. This second phase is expected to be completed in 2026.
During construction, you can expect:
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Lane closures and flaggers directing traffic.
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Noise, vibration, dust, and debris.
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Large machinery and truck activity.
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Parking impacts near the worksite.
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Detours for pedestrians and cyclists due to the closure of crosswalks, sidewalks, or bike lanes.
Find more project details at olympiawa.gov/stateandpacific. Sign up for Construction and Traffic Alerts or follow @olyprojects on X to stay informed.
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