Gospel Outreach of Olympia operates a church, private school, playground, ball fields, and recreational open space in northeast Thurston County, serving neighborhoods on both sides of South Bay Road.
When the church first opened at this location in the early 1980s, traffic volumes were considerably lower and vehicle speeds were generally slower. As the surrounding area has developed and traffic has increased, the church has become increasingly concerned about pedestrian safety along South Bay Road.
High speeds and multiple accidents have been an ongoing concern on this roadway. Even after the church privately funded a school zone and crosswalk, accidents have continued to occur.
With 1.8 million vehicles and 12,000+ pedestrian crossings annually, the church believes the risk of serious injury or fatality is too great and is willing to make the investment to privately fund this project.
The principle of separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic is supported at the federal, state, and local levels. As stated in the Thurston County Safety Action Plan, “Safer roads come from providing physical separation.”
Our goal is simple: provide the greatest possible safety for pedestrians while maintaining safe, uninterrupted traffic flow for drivers. We believe a pedestrian underpass provides the safest solution for accomplishing both.