The Work Zone
September 2025
A Message from the Director
Dear Tacoma Community,
As we transition into September, many of us are feeling the familiar rhythm of a new season —kids heading back to school, cooler mornings returning, and the City preparing for fall weather. This time of year reminds us how essential reliable streets, safe sidewalks, and responsive infrastructure are to daily life. At Public Works, we remain focused on delivering those services with care, consistency, and transparency.
In this issue of The Work Zone, you’ll read about recent progress on several capital projects, including improvements to ADA curb ramps, resurfacing work made possible by the Streets Initiative, and planning underway to support our Vision Zero goals. Each of these efforts is grounded in a simple idea: every resident deserves to move safely through our city, whether by foot, bike, car, or bus.
This newsletter is just one way we are working to build trust through open communication. By sharing what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and where you can get involved, we hope to close the gap between public service and public understanding.
If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to visit our Tacoma Streets Initiative I Milestones website, where you can explore how your dollars are being put to work across Tacoma. Transparency is not just a goal—it’s a responsibility.
Thank you for staying engaged, asking questions, and helping us build a stronger Tacoma.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey A. Jenkins
Public Works Director
City of Tacoma
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Project Updates
Recently Completed
 
Historic Water Ditch Trail (also known as Water Flume Line Trail) – Phase III & IV | Project Website
Construction is moving forward on the Historic Water Ditch Trail along South Tacoma Way, delivering safer and more accessible connections for people walking, rolling, and taking transit.
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Phase IIIA (M Street to Sprague Avenue): Final paving is complete. Pedestrian lighting is expected this summer, and landscaping is scheduled for fall 2025.
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Phase IIIB (M Street to Pine Street): Construction began July 7, 2025.
Project improvements include ADA-accessible curb ramps, upgraded traffic signals, new storm drainage, pedestrian lighting, and enhanced transit stops.
Phases III & IV represent the final trail connections, completing a $14 million investment in safer, more connected neighborhoods, funded in part by the Tacoma Streets Initiative I, which supports local street, sidewalk, and trail improvements across the city.
Pedestrian Accessibility Upgrades in District 10 Complete | Project Website
Thanks to voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative I funding, paired with a federal Housing and Urban Development Grant, the City of Tacoma has completed a $3.1 million project to improve pedestrian accessibility in District 10.
The project added or upgraded more than 130 ADA-accessible curb ramps across 21 intersections, making it easier and safer for people with mobility challenges to travel between streets and sidewalks. These upgrades were prioritized based on community requests and identified barriers, furthering Tacoma’s goal of building more walkable and equitable neighborhoods.
As part of the project restoration, two trees removed during construction will be replaced in the nearby vicinity. Construction began in October 2024 and wrapped up in June 2025.
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Honoring Culture with Lushootseed Street Name Signs | News Article | Video
Public Works, in partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, installed new street name signs that honor Native language and culture. Standard street signs in select areas of tribal land were supplemented with honorary signs displaying Lushootseed names, the language of the Puyallup people.
Construction began in June 2025 and finished in July 2025.
This $161,000 project is fully funded through a private contribution from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
Tacoma Spur Stadium Northbound and Southbound Ramps | Project Website
On August 11, Public Works began maintenance work on the I-705 Stadium Spur ramps that connect to Commerce Street and South Stadium Way. Improvements include a new concrete overlay, replacement of ramp expansion joints, and other repairs to enhance safety.
Updated Ramp Closures:
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Northbound off-ramps (I-705 to Stadium Way and Schuster Parkway): Additional repairs to the ramp deck are needed. The closure, originally expected to end in mid-September, is now estimated to extend about two weeks beyond the original schedule, with reopening anticipated in late September or early October. During this closure, the off-ramp to Schuster Parkway will remain closed to drivers traveling northbound on I-705.
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Southbound ramps (Stadium Way and Schuster Parkway to I-705): Now estimated to close in early October and reopen in early November. The on-ramp to I-705 from Schuster Parkway will also be closed during this time.
All work is weather dependent. Detours will remain in place, with alternate routes such as the A Street City Center exit, SR 509, South 21st Street, and Port of Tacoma exits available. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to plan ahead.
For details and detour maps, visit tacoma.gov/Spur-Stadium-Ramps.
2025-2026 Citywide Striping
The City of Tacoma is investing nearly $2 million to refresh roadway striping, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, lane markings, and reflectors across the city. These improvements help ensure safer and more visible streets for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
Construction is expected to run from July through November 2025. The project is fully funded through the City’s Transportation Capital & Engineering Fund.
 East Portland Avenue (South 56th to South 64th Streets) Overlay | Project Website
A major street improvement project is moving forward on East Portland Avenue. The project will resurface the outer lanes with new asphalt, add ADA-accessible curb ramps where needed, and install a new pedestrian-activated HAWK signal at East Portland Avenue and South 60th Street to improve safety and accessibility.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025.
 6th Avenue & South 19th Street Railroad Crossing Improvements | Project Website
This $2.1 million project is fully funded through a mix of federal and local sources, including $265,000 from the voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative I Fund. These dollars, combined with federal transportation grants, are helping to create safer streets and better pedestrian connections in our community.
The City of Tacoma is moving forward with pedestrian and traffic safety upgrades at the 6th Avenue and South 19th Street railroad crossings. Improvements will include new pedestrian gates, upgraded rail signals, relocated vehicle gates, sidewalks, curb ramps, fresh pavement and striping, signage, fencing, and landscaping.
These supplemental safety measures are required for the City to apply for its first-ever Quiet Zone, which aims to eliminate routine train horn noise at these crossings once approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). While horns will still sound during emergencies, a Quiet Zone helps to significantly reduce noise impacts for nearby residents and businesses.
Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025, with the FRA Quiet Zone application expected to follow in 2026.
This $4.5 million project is fully funded through federal, state, and local sources — including $560,000 from the voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative I Fund.
🚸 Program in Focus: Safe Routes to School | Program Website
The City of Tacoma’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is helping make it safer, easier, and more enjoyable for K–12 students and families to walk, bike, and actively roll to school.
Launched in 2017 with the City’s first Safe Routes to School Action Plan, and updated in 2023, this program is built on strong partnerships between the City, schools, neighbors, community organizations, and regional agencies. Together, we’re working to improve safety and create healthier, more connected communities.
🌟 What We Do
Tacoma’s Safe Routes to School program combines:
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Infrastructure improvements like crosswalks, signals, and bike facilities near schools
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Walking and biking safety education for students and families
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Encouragement programs such as walking school buses, bike rodeos, and safety campaigns
✅ Why It Matters
Investing in Safe Routes to School benefits the entire community:
- Less traffic congestion and harmful emissions around schools
- Improved student focus, attendance, and academic performance
- Healthier students and families through daily physical activity
- More engaged, connected, and active neighborhoods
📊 Program Accomplishments
In its first five years, Tacoma’s Safe Routes to School program has delivered meaningful improvements, with more to come in the next five. You can explore a presentation on accomplishments and future plans presented to the City Council’s Infrastructure, Planning, and Sustainability Committee. 🔗 Watch Now
🗺️ Explore Suggested Walking Routes
Looking for a safe way to get to school? Check out our Suggested Walking Route Maps for Elementary Schools and plan your trip.
📩 Questions or ideas? Contact the program team at saferoutestoschool@tacoma.gov.
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