October 2025
Letter from the Director
Dear Tacoma Community,
As we move deeper into the fall season, I’m proud to share the October edition of The Work Zone, where we highlight the real, tangible ways Public Works is improving streets, sidewalks, and public spaces across Tacoma.
This month marks the completion of several key projects that strengthen our city’s transportation network. Through Pothole Palooza 2025, our Street Operations team completed work at 10 arterial locations across all five Council Districts, improving some of Tacoma’s most heavily traveled corridors. This focused effort extends the life of our streets and keeps people and goods moving efficiently.
We also celebrated the activation of a new traffic signal at South 21st Street and C Street, improving safe crossings and traffic flow near the University of Washington Tacoma. At the same time, improvements on East Portland Avenue and South 72nd Street are paving the way—literally—for a larger corridor upgrade that will bring new ADA ramps, a HAWK pedestrian signal, and a smoother roadway surface in the years ahead.
Smaller scale but equally meaningful projects are also making a difference. A quick-build effort on South 37th Street near Lincoln High School is helping calm traffic and improve pedestrian visibility. And on Tacoma Avenue South, the removal of its arterial designation has opened up more on-street parking, slowed traffic speeds, and created a more neighborhood-friendly corridor.
Looking ahead, the City is taking proactive steps to build a safer, more connected Tacoma—not just through infrastructure, but through community partnerships. On October 7, the City Council voted to sponsor “Trick or Streets,” hosted by Safe Streets. This program allows neighbors to close residential streets for free during the weekend of October 31–November 2 to create safe, family-friendly spaces for Halloween, Día de los Muertos, and other fall celebrations. Click here to register your street.
These achievements are made possible through the hard work of our Public Works team, strong partnerships with the community, and investments supported by Tacoma voters. Thank you for your continued engagement and for helping us build a safer, more connected, and more resilient Tacoma.
With appreciation,
Jeff Jenkins
Director, Public Works
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Project Updates
Recently Completed
Pothole Palooza 2025: Tackling Trouble Spots Across Tacoma | Project Website
From September 30 through October 13, the City’s Street Operations Division rolled out Pothole Palooza 2025, featuring our not-so-favorite mascot, Phil the Pothole. This two-week campaign focused on maintaining and preserving arterial roadways—the heavily traveled routes that connect neighborhoods to major corridors—making a big impact across Tacoma. This work was made possible through the 2015 voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative I.
Crews completed grind-and-pave work at 10 locations citywide, with at least one project in each Council District. By targeting arterial roads with the highest need, Street Operations was able to maximize resources, improve pavement quality, and reduce the presence of Phil the Pothole in our community.
Building on the success of last year’s effort, which addressed an estimated 5,369 potholes citywide, this year’s Pothole Palooza once again showcased the dedication of our crews and the importance of proactive maintenance. Work crews mobilized daily, setting up traffic control, removing distressed asphalt, and placing new pavement to extend the life of our streets.
While Pothole Palooza shines a spotlight on roadway preservation, pothole repair is a year-round effort. Community members can help by reporting potholes through Tacoma FIRST 311 by dialing 311 within city limits, calling (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else, or visiting tacoma.gov/311.
Together, with your reports and our crews’ hard work, we’re keeping Tacoma’s streets safer and smoother.
Stay tuned for updates on future roadway maintenance efforts, and remember: when you see Phil the Pothole, let us know—so we can help make him disappear.
New Traffic Signal Installed at South 21st Street & C Street | Project Website
We have officially completed the installation of a new traffic signal at South 21st Street and C Street, right next to the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT). The signal is now fully operational, providing safer crossings for pedestrians and smoother traffic flow for drivers.
This project not only improves day-to-day safety but also reflects the community’s ongoing investment in our streets. Alongside grant and transportation funds, the project was made possible in part through the voter-approved Tacoma Streets Initiative I, which continues to deliver on its promise of safer, more reliable infrastructure across all neighborhoods.
Project Highlights
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Signalized intersection at S 21st St & C St, improving safety for all travelers.
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Accessible curb ramps, pedestrian push buttons with audible signals and tactical detection to support people of all abilities.
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Coordinated signal timing with the nearby S 21st & Jefferson signal for smoother traffic flow.
With this project now complete, students, staff, and visitors at UWT—and everyone traveling downtown—have a safer, easier way to get where they’re going.
For more information, contact:
Jon Kulju
📞 (253) 591-5204
✉️ jkulju@tacoma.gov
 Improvements on East Portland Avenue and South 72nd Street
The City of Tacoma recently repaved a portion of the South 72nd Street and East Portland Avenue intersection. This work is part of a broader commitment to maintaining and upgrading Tacoma’s transportation infrastructure.
Building on this momentum, the City is preparing for a larger capital project: the East Portland Avenue (64th to 72nd) Overlay Project. This project will significantly improve the condition and safety of this important corridor.
What’s Coming – East Portland Avenue (South 64th to South 72nd) Overlay Project | Project Website
The overlay project will involve grinding out damaged pavement sections and applying a new 2-inch layer of asphalt to restore a smooth, durable driving surface. In addition to resurfacing, the project will include:
- ADA curb ramp upgrades, including new bulb-outs to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility
- Installation of a new HAWK signal to enhance pedestrian crossing safety — with funding from City Council dedicated to improving pedestrian safety and accessibility on Portland Avenue.
It’s important to note that this upcoming overlay project does not include additional work at the South 72nd Street and East Portland Avenue intersection, beyond the intersection improvements already completed earlier this fall. While the project corridor runs near this location, the focus of the overlay work is on resurfacing and safety upgrades along East Portland Avenue itself, not additional intersection construction at South 72nd Street.
These improvements will not only extend the life of the roadway but also support safer, more accessible travel for all users.
Project Status
The project has completed its design phase and is currently in the Right-of-Way phase. Construction is expected to begin once all necessary approvals and preparations are finalized.
Fully Funded and Community-Backed
The project is fully funded, with $1,712,881 secured through a combination of local and regional sources:
- $807,642 – Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Preservation Grant
- $500,000 – Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) 2 (Portland Ave Safety & Active Transportation)
- $405,239 – Streets Initiative Fund
The Streets Initiative Fund is made possible by Tacoma voters, who approved the 2015 Tacoma Streets Initiative I to invest in safer, more reliable streets across the city. This project is a direct result of that community support.
Learn More
For more information about the East Portland Avenue Overlay Project, contact:
Josh Lauer
📞 (253) 591-5594
✉️jlauer@tacoma.gov
Tacoma Avenue South Traffic Revision Complete
More Parking, Safer Streets, and a Calmer Corridor
The City of Tacoma has officially completed the Tacoma Avenue South Declassification Effort, transforming a key stretch of Tacoma Avenue South between South 38th Street and South 48th Street. This endeavor, which included the Municipal Code removal of arterial designation and associated traffic control changes, is now finalized—bringing new benefits to the neighborhood.
What Changed?
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Tacoma Avenue South is no longer classified as an arterial street, as updated in the Tacoma Municipal Code.
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NO PARKING signs were removed or relocated on the east side of the street to allow for more on-street parking and for consistency with how other non-arterial/residential streets are configured in Tacoma.
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The remaining double-yellow centerline was fully removed, completing the visual and functional transition of the corridor.
What This Means for You
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Parking is now allowed on both sides of Tacoma Avenue South, except where signage restricts it for safety (e.g., near intersections or driveways).
- These changes support:
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Improved safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers
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Slower vehicle speeds and discouraged cut-through traffic
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Increased parking availability for residents and visitors
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Better access to homes and businesses along the corridor
Reminder: Please follow all parking regulations, including keeping clear of intersections, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and driveways. (RCW 46.61.570)
Keeping the Community Informed
To help drivers adjust to the changes, Traffic Revision signs have been placed at each end of the corridor reminding travelers of the new traffic pattern and parking availability.
Questions or Feedback?
We welcome your input!
📧 NeighborhoodTraffic@tacoma.gov
📞 (253) 453-0339
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Safe Streets Near Lincoln High School
The Transportation Division recently facilitated a quick-build intersection improvement project on South 37th Street, near Lincoln High School. The project was designed to educate the community and demonstrate the benefits of simple, low-cost improvements that make walking, rolling, biking, and driving safer.
Using pavement markings, striping, and plastic curbing with delineators, the project narrowed intersections and clearly defined travel lanes and crossing areas. These changes, often referred to as “daylighting,” help discourage drivers from parking too close to intersections—improving visibility and safety for all road users.
Daylighting improvements were installed at the intersections of South 37th Street & Thompson Avenue and South 37th Street & South G Street. The goal is to simplify traffic operations and make crossing the street safer for students, families, and neighbors traveling to and from Lincoln High School.
This effort was funded by a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) and supports the City’s broader commitment to safer streets in Tacoma neighborhoods.
We encourage drivers to continue doing their part:
- Stay alert and put phones down while driving.
- Always stop for people walking or biking within crosswalks, marked or unmarked.
- Remember that parking within 30 feet of an intersection is not only unsafe but also likely illegal.
Together, we can create safer streets for everyone.
 Tacoma’s Transportation and Mobility Plan Earns Regional Certification
The recently adopted Transportation and Mobility Plan (TMP), part of Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan update, has been officially certified by the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).
On September 25, 2025, PSRC’s Executive Board-certified Tacoma’s Comprehensive Plan and TMP, recognizing that Tacoma’s transportation strategies align with the Growth Management Act, multicounty planning policies, and the Regional Transportation Plan. This certification also makes Tacoma eligible to apply for federal transportation funding through PSRC’s Regional Transportation Improvement Program, an important step in securing resources for our community.
At the heart of the updated TMP is its vision: “To create and sustain a transformative multimodal transportation system that connects people to places and people to people.” The plan sets the framework for Tacoma’s future transportation network, featuring multimodal system maps and a project list to guide investment and implementation in the years ahead.
The TMP outlines strategies to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity for all modes of travel—walking and rolling, biking, transit, and driving. It is a cornerstone for how Tacoma will connect people to jobs, schools, parks, and neighborhoods while also advancing regional goals of housing affordability, environmental stewardship, and equity.
With this milestone, Tacoma is well-positioned to continue building a transportation system that is safer, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.
Learn more about the TMP at tacoma.gov/tmp.
More street improvements are planned this fall — including pothole repair, resurfacing, and targeted curb ramp installations.
Track your tax dollars at work: 🔗 tacomastreetsinitiative.org
Visit our City projects page: 🔗 City Projects | City of Tacoma
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