Lakewood residents are set to easily reconnect thanks to an upcoming transportation project. Scheduled to begin construction yesterday, Aug. 11, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) began building the Gravelly-Thorne Connector, a 1.3-mile-long, 14-foot-wide, non-motorized path. This path will link the communities of Tillicum and Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest in Lakewood, with completion anticipated in late fall 2026.
According to WSDOT's release, the project aims to provide a shared space to walk, bike, and roll, alongside southbound I-5. This initiative aims to not only increase connectivity for residents but also to complement larger infrastructure improvements, including expansion of HOV lanes between DuPont and Lakewood and reconstruction of the Thorne Lane and Berkeley Street overpasses to better accommodate pedestrians.
Currently underway is the construction of a shared-use path along the new Steilacoom-DuPont Road interchange, stretching from JBLM’s DuPont Gate to the city of DuPont. This, together with the Gravelly-Thorne Connector, aims to streamline the link for people moving between Tillicum and neighboring areas. The project's scope reaches beyond transportation, as it is set to enhance emergency services accessibility and align with future Sound Transit plans for Tillicum.
As development progresses, environmental considerations remain paramount, with WSDOT planning to "preserve as many trees as possible." A team is in place to carefully identify and mark each tree for removal or retention.
