Transportation Policy Board tables decision on Log Cabin Road project removal

The Transportation Policy Board (TPB) delayed a decision on whether to remove the Log Cabin Road extension from the Thurston Regional Planning Council's long-range transportation plan during a meeting on June 11. Chair Andy Ryder highlighted concerns about Olympia's earlier removal of the project from its comprehensive plan, which aims to address regional transportation for the next 25 years. Public feedback revealed significant opposition, with 227 out of 279 comments against the extension, prompting the board to consider further analysis. Traffic modeling indicated potential worsening congestion on Yelm Highway and impacts on major corridors if the project is removed. Although the decision could free up about $10 million for other regional projects, officials expressed concerns about the feasibility of removing the extension.

Tumwater City Council member Peter Agabi noted that current routes are inefficient for travel between Tumwater and Lacey. Olympia Council member Robert Vanderpool reassured that the project could be revisited after further studies, emphasizing community sentiment against the extension. The TPB aims to reassess regional transportation needs by approximately 2030, focusing on local and regional connectivity.