What We Have Done

WE HAVE STRENGTHEN OUR POSITION OF INFLUENCE WITH THE STATE TRANSPORATION COMMITTEE. WE HAVE BEEN ON AN INTENSE LOBBYING EFFORT WITH OLYMPIA. WE HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH EVERY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEEE LEADERSHIP AND MEMBER IN BOTH BRANCHES. WE HAVE TESTIFIED BOTH IN WRITING AND LIVE AT HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEE PUBLIC TESTIMONY MEETINGS. WE ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH OUR SUPPORTING REPRESENTATIVE ROBERTSON AND OTHERS WHO WILL CONTINUE TO WORK AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN OUR AREA.

WE CONTINUE TO ATTEND MONTHLY PIERCE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETINGS TO ADD OUR COMMENTS WHERE NEEDED. THIS COMMISSION HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS IN AND AROUND THE ORTING VALLEY.

MET WITH COUNTY EXECUTIVE, DISTRICT COUNTY COUNCILMEN, AND PUBLIC WORKS TO PRESENT OUR PROPOSAL TO EXTEND 128TH ST E (TEHALEH HIGHWAY TO SOUTH HILL PUYALLUP). WE PRESENTED THE MANY REASONS AND BENEFITS. PUBLIC WORKS WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS AS PART OF THEIR FEASIBILITY STUDY ON IMPROVING MILITARY ROAD AND ADDING ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS. IT IS A START.

STAGED SUCCESSFUL PETITION DRIVE TO GATHER SIGNATURES TO PRESENT TO STATE LEGISLATORS REQUESTING THEIR SUPPORT TO FORCE WSDOT TO FOLLOW STATE GUIDELINES AND POLICIES REGARDING THE TRANSPORTATION ROUNDABOUT PROJECT ON SR162

DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH STATE LEGISLATORS AND COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS - In private and group meetings, the latter bringing together all stakeholders in this intersection and highway dispute

DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH CITY MAYORS AND ADMINISTRATORS - have met with mayors and made presentation to city councils, public works, and public safety agencies regarding the impacts SR162 issues will have on their residents

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH WA STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAION SECRETARY - sent letter and received reply regarding the SR162/128th St. E intersection

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH WSDOT TRAFFIC ENGINEERS - assigned to this corridor and the engineers behind the proposed roundabout design for this intersection

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH PIERCE COUNTY TRAFFIC ENGINEERS - assigned to this corridor and the engineers studying the east Pierce County transportation network

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH SR162 BUSINESSES - who will be impacted by the decisions made on the SR162 intersections and the resulting traffic impacts to their businesses

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH VALLEY RESIDENTS - including development representatives, home owner associations, and single family residents via our blog

DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH YOUR LETTERS AND EMAILS – having had a major impact on making Olympia painfully aware of the SR162 situation – we were one of the larger noisemakers in the 2019 Olympia legislative session. The efforts of the public with their letters and emails helped moving the widening of SR162 between Sumner and Orting to the top of the Transportation budger committee's agenda this year – thank you NOW, lets continue into 2020 until we get funding.

DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH PIERCE COUNTY EXECUTIVE - we have met with the County Executive Bruce Dammeier who was very receptive and attentive to our attempts to find resolution to the traffic problems in the Sumner to Orting transportation corridor. He is personally familiar with the issues in this area of the County. While the County's focus is on completing the Canyon Road corridor connection to the future SR167 exension, he indicated that the County is aware and will be focusing on the Sumner to Orting corridor and its connecting County roads in an effort to address the issues we have

DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH TEHALEH SITE LEADERSHIP - to discuss development plans, highway construction and design plans, as well as traffic impacts to the valley

PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN- our awareness program has reached out to the community through our Website, Facebook Blog, SWAG, business posters, and roadside banners

MEDIA - The Tacoma News Tribune and Puyallup Herrald ran a video and article on our group and the issues concerning this SR162 corridor. We plan future coverage when the timing is right