SR 510, Yelm Loop – Stage 1
Neal Uhlmeyer, Project Engineer, 360-412-3420
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr510/yelmloop/
Stage 1 of the SR 510 Yelm Loop Project builds a new roadway from Mud Run Road to Cullens Road and reduces congestion in the Yelm area.
TIME/DAYS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Monday, April 26 through Friday, April 30
DESCRIPTION: Construction of a new roadway.
LOCATION: Both directions of SR 510, from Mud Run Road to Cullens Road, mileposts 13.28 to 14.18.
EXPECT: Possible short-term closures between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday, April 26 during tree falling operations.

They should probably update that to include April 27th as well as traffic on 510 has been clogged up all morning.

This will result in a increase of 16% effective April 1st, 2010, a 2nd increase of 16% January 1, 2011 and then 8.25% each January 1st 2012-2015 in the water bills of Yelm residents and businesses.

Are current City of Yelm water customers paying for the commitments city officials made for speculative future developments?
This is a valid question that should be asked.

Watch the Yelm’s City Council approve these water rate increases based on an unapproved Draft Water System Plan online.

Yelm.com asks

“Where is the public’s outrage at this affront to their wallets?
If not now, when?
When the water bill arrives will be too late!”

Where was the Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce? You think they would be interested in this as rate increases of this nature will impact local businesses.

YELM, Wash. – Amid all the bad news about the economy, one Western Washington town is bucking the trend.

It’s the city of Yelm. Since 2003, the Thurston County community has grown by about 35 percent. It is one of the few bright spots in the state’s economy.

Original video at
Despite weak economy, Yelm keeps on growing

The follow comment popped up quickly on the King Five News article online and make some interesting points.

Mr. Mikkelsen failed to gather anough information and share these facts with the viewing audience:

1. The growth since 1993 has come at a price:
Yelm’s traffic is some of the worst in the area, increased air/water pollution, a report out this week about increased crime, & a doubling of families requesting assistance for holiday dinners from the local citizens
organization from 2007 to 2008.

2. The retail sales figures quoted third quarter results & failed to mention that a new Super Wal-Mart opened during the 3rd quarter of 2007 and operated the full quarter of 2008. The Wal-Mart was open 17% less of the days of the 2007 quarter than 2008, so of course, the sales figures will be skewed to the positive.

3. City administrator Shelly Badger spoke of “available land in our community, and commercial land.” True, however she failed to mention the city has a court imposed order to no longer issue permits in 5 devleopments due to a lack of water and the State Asst. Attorney General filed a brief in the court case against the city’s declared water availability & numbers. The Dept. of Ecology is working with the city right now to determine Yelm’s available water, which will show if they have any further water rights to permit more homes & businesses.