The City of Tacoma’s Public Works Department has successfully secured over $4 million in competitive grants from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). This funding award will support two infrastructure projects designed to improve pavement conditions, increase pedestrian safety, and expand active transportation routes along South 12th Street and the South Park Avenue greenway.
South 12th Street Improvements ($3.7 Million)
The largest portion of the funding, totaling $3.7 million, is dedicated to comprehensive improvements along South 12th Street from South Grant to South Cedar.
The project focuses on smart fiscal management and Vision Zero safety principles. It utilizes a cost-effective preservation strategy, milling and overlaying the street surface to restore the roadway. This approach offers the lowest lifecycle cost, effectively adding 15 to 20 years to the life of the street while significantly improving ride quality.
Key features of the South 12th Street Project include:
- Upgrades to three traffic signal systems, including larger signal heads with reflective backplates for visibility.
- Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) to give walkers a head start before cars move, specifically targeting high-accident intersections like South Sprague.
- A westbound lane reduction will allow for the installation of protected bike lanes, separated from traffic by a buffer and mountable curbs.
- The new roadway configuration is designed to reduce merging conflicts, run-off-the-road collisions, and left-turn risks.
Safe Routes to School: South Park Avenue Greenway ($478,000)
The City has also been awarded $478,000 to improve safety in the Fern Hill Neighborhood through the South Park Avenue Greenway Project (South 86th to South 76th Street). This initiative directly addresses critical mobility needs near Fern Hill Elementary, reinforcing the street as a safe, low-stress route for children and families.
Key features of the South Park Avenue Greenway Project include:
- The installation of four new speed humps and a new traffic circle at South 80th Street to reduce vehicle speeds and turning conflicts.
- Construction of curb bulbs and a raised crosswalk at South 86th Street will shorten crossing distances and physically reinforce driver yielding behavior near the school.
- Construction of approximately 160 feet of new sidewalk to eliminate existing gaps, ensuring a continuous path for pedestrians.
- A new traffic diverter at South 78th Street will discourage cut-through traffic while maintaining access for residents and emergency vehicles. The specific design of this feature will be shaped directly by public engagement and resident input.
Work on both projects is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2027. Additional details will be posted here, as they become available.