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May 2026
From the Assistant Director:
As we move into the summer construction season, I want to recognize the strong work happening across our department and throughout the city. From Pothole Palooza to ongoing Tacoma Streets Initiative projects, our teams continue delivering visible improvements in neighborhoods citywide.
This edition highlights key milestones, including paving on Sheridan Avenue, East Roosevelt Avenue, and East Portland Avenue, as well as safety upgrades along 6th Avenue—advancing safer, smoother, and more connected streets across Tacoma.
We also continue preparing for organizational changes under the City’s Roadmap to Recovery, including the planned 2027 merger of Public Works and Environmental Services. This work is focused on improving coordination and service delivery while supporting our staff and community.
The department is also continuing facts-and-data sharing and community engagement related to the proposed Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy, helping residents better understand transportation needs, priorities, and long-range planning.
In addition, Tacoma’s new Transportation Impact Fee program is now underway, helping ensure that growth contributes to the infrastructure needed to support a growing city.
Finally, thank you to all staff for your work and dedication—especially those who helped make this year’s Road-eo and All-Staff BBQ a success.
Sincerely,
Corey Newton
Assistant Director / City Engineer
City of Tacoma Public Works
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Following the introduction of the proposed Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks measure in last month’s newsletter, the Tacoma City Council adopted Resolution 41894 on April 21, 2026, updating and superseding Resolution 41890 and advancing the measure to the August 4, 2026 Primary Election ballot. The updated resolution establishes three dedicated investment categories for all revenues, along with associated grant and partnership funding:
- Safe Streets for Everyone (50%) – Improvements to major arterials focused on safety, reliability, and connectivity
- Better Neighborhood Streets (26%) – Residential street maintenance and improvements, including paving, potholes, traffic calming, greenways, and sidewalks
- Improved Connections (24%) – Sidewalks, ADA access, greenways, and trails, safety improvements, and multimodal connections to transit, schools, and neighborhood destinations
The resolution also updates the maximum levy rate ceiling to $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed value, while maintaining the proposed rate of $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed value.
In addition to these updates, the Public Works Department continues its focus on facts-and-data sharing and community engagement to support public understanding of the measure, and the broader transportation needs it is intended to address. Outreach efforts center on providing clear, accessible information about system conditions, safety priorities, and long-range infrastructure needs, while responding to questions from residents and stakeholders. Additional information is available at tacoma.gov/connecttacoma.
 Center Street was one of 10 projects selected during Pothole Palooza 2026
Tacoma’s annual Pothole Palooza campaign wrapped up with major improvements to streets across the city. Funded by the 2015 Voter Approved Tacoma Streets Initiative, Public Works crews repaired nearly 2.5 miles of arterial roadway and placed more than 4,131 tons of asphalt to improve roadway conditions and create smoother, safer travel for residents.
In addition to pothole repairs, Street Operations teams continued work on concrete maintenance, residential street restoration, alley grading, and preparations for the upcoming chip seal season.
The success of Pothole Palooza reflects the hard work and dedication of Public Works employees who continue delivering visible improvements in neighborhoods citywide. Thank you to our crews for keeping Tacoma moving safely and efficiently.
For more information and to view more photos from this year's Pothole Palooza, visit tacoma.gov/potholes.
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Sheridan Arterial Improvements – Phase 1 | Project Website
 South Sheridan Avenue has received the final layer of pavement from South 64th Street to South 72nd Street, including the intersections. This reconstruction project implemented traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds by narrowing lanes, creating a safer environment for pedestrians to access Wapato Park and the surrounding neighborhood. Sheridan now has a shared use path on the west side, and an upgraded sidewalk that spans the whole length of the newly paved area. Utilities such as storm, water, and sewer are still being upgraded, and signage and pavement markings will follow shortly.
East Portland Avenue Overlay (East 56th Street to East 64th Street) | Project Website
A fresh overlay of pavement was completed during the night on East Portland Avenue. This overlay puts a new couple of inches of asphalt over the existing roadway to increase longevity and prevent further road deterioration. East Portland Avenue now also has several new ADA-compliant curb ramps at each of the intersections between East 57th Street and East 64th Street, with East 56th Street previously having existing compliant curb ramps. To further improve pedestrian safety, a new HAWK signal was installed at the intersection with East 60th Street.
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 6th Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Safety Improvements | Project Website
The intersection of South 6th Avenue and North Sprague Avenue has been repaved, including surrounding sections of South 6th Avenue and Division Avenue. Work was completed in the evening to reduce impact to travel as much as possible. Along with new pavement, the pedestrian island has been upgraded, and all crossings now have ADA-compliant curb ramps. Traffic striping of the intersection will begin at the start of June, weather permitting.
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 East Roosevelt Avenue Arterial Improvements | Project Website
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Paving has finished on East Roosevelt Avenue. A second layer of pavement was completed in May from East Sherman Street to East 38th Street, including parts of the road north of East Sherman. The project will conclude with roadway striping in the upcoming weeks.
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 Public Works and Environmental Services to Unite Under One Department
As part of the City of Tacoma’s Roadmap to Recovery, the Public Works and Environmental Services departments will merge into one unified department effective January 1, 2027. The transition, led by Environmental Services Director Ramiro Chavez and Interim Public Works Director Kurtis Kingsolver, is designed to streamline operations, improve coordination, and modernize how the City delivers essential infrastructure and environmental services.
The merger is one component of City Manager Hyun Kim’s broader strategy to address Tacoma’s projected General Fund deficit while protecting core public services. By combining teams that perform similar work and centralizing engineering functions under Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Corey Newton, the City aims to reduce administrative duplication and improve efficiency.
City leadership has emphasized that the change is focused on organizational alignment and operational efficiency, not reductions to frontline maintenance or engineering staff.
Learn more about the Roadmap to Recovery at tacoma.gov/roadmaptorecovery.
 Environmental Services Director Ramiro Chavez attempts Road-eo Excavator Challenge
Public Works and Environmental Services Celebrate Joint Road-eo
The Public Works and Environmental Services departments recently came together for a successful joint Road-eo and All-Staff BBQ in celebration of National Public Works Week (NPWW).
Held at the Tacoma Dome “G” Parking Lot, the event featured friendly competitions showcasing employee skill and precision operating specialized equipment, including CDL snow plows, mini excavators, loaders, and skid steers. Staff from across both departments gathered throughout the day to cheer on competitors, connect with coworkers, and celebrate the work that keeps Tacoma running.
This year also marked the first combined Road-eo hosted by both departments, creating an opportunity to strengthen teamwork and camaraderie across divisions.
Winners of the competitive events will go on to represent Tacoma at the Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Fall Conference in Spokane for a chance to compete at nationals.
Thank you to all staff, volunteers, and organizers who helped make this year’s event a success.
Learn more about the American Public Works Road-eo here: How to Operate an Excavator | Hands on at the PWX Roadeo - YouTube
 Transportation Impact Fees Launch June 1
Beginning June 1, the City of Tacoma will implement transportation impact fees, creating a new funding source to support critical transportation infrastructure as the city continues to grow.
Authorized by the City Council through Ordinance 29082, the program applies a one-time fee to new residential, commercial, and industrial developments so that new growth contributes to the infrastructure capacity needed to support additional development. The fees will help fund projects such as sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, and intersection improvements identified in Tacoma’s Capital Facilities Program and Transportation and Mobility Plan.
Transportation impact fees are projected to generate approximately $16 million annually, helping the City advance transportation safety and mobility projects without placing the full financial burden on existing residents and taxpayers.
To support housing affordability and community services, the program also includes several exemptions and fee reductions, including reduced fees for qualifying affordable housing developments, childcare facilities, and transit-oriented development projects.
The Public Works Department will provide annual reports to the City Council tracking revenue collection, project delivery, and equity outcomes to ensure transparency and accountability as the program moves forward. Details on the program, including fee schedules and exemption application, are available at tacoma.gov/tif.
The Tacoma City Council is seeking applicants to fill five vacancies on the Transportation Commission, including two at-large positions and representatives for Council Districts 1, 4, and 5. All applicants must be Tacoma residents.
The Transportation Commission advises the City Council on transportation planning, mobility, safety, and infrastructure issues, including implementation of the City’s Transportation and Mobility and Vision Zero Action plans.
Commission meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Tacoma Municipal Building and virtually via Zoom.
The City encourages applications from individuals representing Tacoma’s diverse communities and backgrounds, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, seniors, youth, immigrants, and refugees.
Applications are due by noon on June 22, 2026.
Learn more and apply at tacoma.gov/cbcapplication.
📅 Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Need to report a pothole or broken streetlight? 📞 Call 3-1-1 or report online: tacoma.gov/311
For more information, visit our Public Works website and for the latest active transportation updates, follow the City’s active transportation team on Facebook (@mobility253) and on Instagram (@tacomamobility).
Questions or comments about active transportation policies, projects, or programs? You can reach us at tacomastreets@tacoma.gov.
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