Connect Tacoma Passes: Thank You, Tacoma! 

Tacoma voters have approved the Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy! 

Thank you, Tacoma, for investing in the future of our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods. 

On August 4, Tacoma voters approved Proposition 1, the Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks Levy. The 10-year measure will provide an estimated $200 million in voter-approved funding, supporting investments in safer streets, better sidewalks, street maintenance and repair, and improved connections throughout Tacoma. 

This is an important investment in Tacoma's transportation network, but it is also a significant responsibility. With voter support comes a commitment to deliver projects thoughtfully, transparently, and equitably. 

What comes next? 

The work is just beginning. 

Over the coming years, Public Works will turn this community investment into projects across Tacoma. Connect Tacoma will build on the City's existing transportation programs while providing additional resources to address some of our most important street and sidewalk needs. 

The levy is designed to support better neighborhood streets, safer streets for everyone, and improved connections, including street repair, maintenance, pedestrian improvements, bicycle improvements, and other transportation safety investments. 

We will continue sharing information about upcoming projects, timelines, progress, and how Connect Tacoma funding is being put to work. Accountability and transparency will remain central to how we deliver the levy. 

Thank you, Tacoma! 

A lot of work went into developing Connect Tacoma and bringing it before voters. Thank you to the community members who participated in conversations, shared feedback, asked questions, and helped shape the measure. 

Most importantly, thank you to the voters of Tacoma for saying yes to investing in our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods. 

Now, it's time to get to work. 

Thank you, Tacoma. We are ready to deliver. Learn more at tacoma.gov/connecttacoma.

Tacoma Awarded $2.48 Million for South Pine Street Transportation Improvements

The City of Tacoma is receiving $2,484,371 in federal transportation funding to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access along South Pine Street between Center and South 47th streets. 

The funding was awarded through the Puget Sound Regional Council's 2026 Transportation Alternatives Program and will support the construction phase of the South Pine Street Pedestrian, Bike & Transit Access Improvements project. 

The project will improve transportation connections along South Pine Street, creating better access for people walking, biking, and using transit. The improvements will help make the corridor safer and more accessible while strengthening connections between neighborhoods and key destinations. 

PSRC's Transportation Alternatives Program uses a merit-based selection process to direct federal transportation funds toward projects that address local needs and support the region's long-term transportation, economic development, and growth planning goals. 

The City will have until June 1, 2028, to use the awarded funding for the construction phase of the project. 

The award is an important example of Tacoma's continued efforts to leverage external funding to deliver transportation improvements throughout the community. By securing competitive state and federal grants, the City can supplement local transportation investments and bring additional resources to Tacoma projects. 

$2.48 million in federal funding. One more step toward safer, more connected transportation in Tacoma.

Traffic Garden Pop-Ups Bring Safety Skills to Tacoma Youth

This summer, the City of Tacoma's Safe Routes to School program partnered with Parks Tacoma to bring pop-up traffic gardens to three free summer meal sites: Manitou Park, NE Tacoma Playground, and Verlo Playfield. 

More than 60 local youth participated, practicing traffic safety skills while riding bikes, scooters, and rollerblades. The events also offered 25 free helmets, reflective stickers, traffic safety activity books, and other hands-on activities. Local nonprofit 2nd Cycle provided free minor bike tune-ups to help keep bikes rolling safely. 

The temporary traffic gardens were installed using spray chalk and can last three weeks to three months, depending on weather conditions. Although the pop-up events have wrapped up, families can still visit the locations and practice traffic safety skills while the markings remain. 

A big thank you to Parks Tacoma, 2nd Cycle, the Tacoma Tree Foundation, and all the youth and families who joined us this summer!

The Work Zone Is Going Quarterly

More stories. More project updates. More ways to see the work happening across Tacoma. 

Since launching in 2025, The Work Zone has provided Tacoma residents with updates on the projects, programs, and people working to improve our streets, sidewalks, and transportation system. 

As the newsletter continues to grow, we're making a change to how often we publish. Starting this fall, The Work Zone will move to a quarterly publication schedule. 

Moving to a quarterly newsletter will give us more opportunities to bring together the work happening across Tacoma and provide more in-depth updates on projects and programs that matter to our community. 

Each issue will continue to highlight construction projects, street and sidewalk improvements, transportation initiatives, upcoming work, project milestones, and other updates from Public Works. We'll also continue sharing information about how our teams are working to make Tacoma's transportation system safer, more accessible, and more reliable. 

The change also means we can take a broader look at the progress being made across the city, rather than focusing only on what's happening month to month. 

Have a project or transportation topic you'd like to see featured? Let us know at tacomastreets@tacoma.gov. The Work Zone is about keeping community members informed about the work happening in their neighborhoods. 

Thank you for following along and staying connected with us. We look forward to bringing you The Work Zone each quarter and continuing to show you how we're putting your streets, sidewalks, and transportation system to work for Tacoma.

The Baker Middle School Safe Routes to School project brings new safety and accessibility improvements to the area around the school. 

The project will add sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb ramps, bulb-outs, marked crosswalks, flashing beacons, speed bumps, and bicycle safety improvements, including a protected bicycle boulevard. 

The project was prioritized based on safety, equity, and connectivity and is designed to make it safer and easier for students, families, and community members to walk, bike, and roll to school. 

The $1.57 million project is fully funded, including $1.47 million in Safe Routes to School funding and $100,000 from the Tacoma Streets Initiative. 

The contract has been awarded, and construction is anticipated to begin in November. 

Questions? Contact Project Manager Clara Dubow at cdubow@tacoma.gov.

Construction is now underway on Phase 4 of the Links to Opportunity Streetscape Project, continuing the City's work to improve sidewalks and streetscapes along the T-Line Light Rail route in the Stadium and Hilltop Districts. 

Phase 4 construction began in July 2026 and will bring ADA-compliant sidewalks and streetscape improvements, including upgraded pedestrian lighting, street trees and landscaping, street furniture, bicycle facilities, decorative paving, and other enhancements. 

The overall Links to Opportunity project is divided into five construction packages. Packages 3 and 5 are complete, Package 1 is nearing completion, and Package 2 is expected to bid in fall 2026. Construction across the full project is anticipated to be complete in fall 2027. 

The $16 million project is fully funded through a combination of federal, state, local, Sound Transit, and Tacoma Streets Initiative funding. 

Questions? Contact Project Manager Jon Kulju at jkulju@tacoma.gov.

Construction is now underway on the 38th and Cedar Street Crossing Improvements project, bringing new pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements to the area. 

The project will add curb bulbs, accessible curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks, signal upgrades, and a new 10-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side of South 38th Street, closing a gap in the existing sidewalk network. 

The project will also add 15 new trees, helping increase tree canopy, improve air quality, and provide shade along the roadway. 

The project was the highest-scoring application in the Puget Sound Regional Council's Equity Pilot grant program, supporting transportation safety, mobility, health, and environmental goals identified in the Tacoma Mall Subarea Plan. 

Construction is expected to continue through December 2026, with work including signal and utility improvements, curb ramp construction, paving, signage, channelization, and tree planting. 

The $1.09 million project is fully funded, including $785,899 from the PSRC Equity Pilot Federal Grant and $299,613 in local REET funding. 

Questions? Contact Project Manager Charla Kinlow at ckinlow@tacoma.gov.

• Tacoma Planning Commission Meeting | September 2 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

• Parking Technical Advisory Meeting | September 3 @ 4:10 pm – 6:10 pm 

• Beyond the Bin: First Fridays | September 4 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm 

• City Council Meeting | September 15 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

• Tacoma Planning Commission Meeting | September 16 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

• Transportation Commission Meeting | September 16 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm 

• City Council Meeting | September 22 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm 

• Move & Groove: Tacoma 2026 Open Streets & Park Activation Festival | September 26 @ 11 am – 2 pm