Sidewalk repairs in downtown Olympia are shifting to nighttime hours starting October 28 to minimize disruptions for local businesses and drivers. The adjustment marks the final stretch of a sidewalk reconstruction project that began in September, though the twenty-six mature trees removed during the construction will not be immediately replaced.
The city initiated sidewalk panel replacements, curb ramp upgrades, and tree root management across three primary downtown zones on September 9. Work zones include the north side of Fourth Avenue from Water Street to Capitol Way, the east side of Washington Street from Fourth Avenue to State Avenue, and the south side of Fourth Avenue from Quince Street to Eastside Street.
Contractors Schedule Night Operations Starting Late October
According to an October 21 social media post from the city, contractors may operate during early morning, early evening, and nighttime hours beginning October 28. Standard daytime crews continue working between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., while nighttime operations take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
City spokesperson Brandon Chapman told The Olympian that the night work is expected to last two to three days, contingent on favorable weather and the absence of unforeseen underground challenges. Chapman noted that while demolition and concrete pouring are more efficient without daytime pedestrian traffic, the primary contractor initially remained noncommittal to night shifts. Consequently, the city directed contractors to coordinate directly with individual downtown businesses to establish optimal working windows.
The project is funded through the Transportation Benefit District 0.1% sales tax, which the city council approved in December 2023 to support active transportation improvements through 2026.
The Timeline for Downtown Tree Replacements
The removal of twenty-six trees across the work zones drew mixed reactions from residents, with some posting photos online criticizing the heavy pruning and removal of mature canopy. The city addressed the public response in a mid-September social media update.
Yes, mature trees came down downtown this week. We know that stings, and honestly? We could’ve done a better job telling you what to expect before the saws showed up. That’s on us.
Engineering Project Coordinator Patrick Knouff explained that tree replanting is currently delayed because the replacement trees must reach a dormant state before they can be safely transplanted from the nursery to the downtown core. Officials have not provided a specific date for when planting will resume.
Chapman stated that a certified downtown arborist reviewed each tree prior to construction and determined that the previous species were poorly suited for their locations, causing ongoing sidewalk damage and accessibility barriers. The replacement plan accounts for spatial constraints, such as building awnings along Fourth Avenue, by relocating several new trees to Columbia Street Northwest between State and Fourth Avenue. According to city projections, the strategy results in no net loss of downtown trees.
