Local funding for city streets

Investing in the safety and quality of Tumwater's roads

Transportation infrastructure is one of the city's most valuable investments. The Transportation Benefit District (TBD) was formed in 2014 to designate a dedicated source of funding to preserve, maintain and expand the transportation infrastructure within city limits. 

Tumwater voters approved a sales tax increase of 0.2% (two-tenths of one percent) to fund the TBD for a period of ten years beginning in 2015. At a special election in April 2025, Tumwater voters approved the renewal and continued imposition of the 0.2% sales and use tax for another ten years. The proposition was approved by 76.94%.

Since 2015, the TBD has funded:

• More than 100 lane miles of road improvements
• More than 100 new curb ramps
• Almost 50,000 tons of asphalt for Tumwater roads

Projects have included:

• Israel Road/Linderson Way Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements
• Linwood Avenue Sidewalk, Susitna Lane to 2nd Avenue
• Citywide National Highway System (NHS) Resurfacing Project
• Yearly pavement maintenance projects throughout Tumwater
• Many more improvements to roads, sidewalks and bike lanes (see annual reports)

The dedicated funding provided by the TBD makes it possible for the city to proactively repair and preserve roads before they deteriorate to a point that would require costly pavement replacement. In this way, TBD funding is an investment in road quality and safety that saves money in the long run. Additionally, the taxes collected through the TBD have so far helped to secure $6 million in grants, often through matches with available funds.

Street Maintenance Priorities in 2015

Priority Streets Addressed 2015 - 2024

Annual Report

Each year, the City provides an annual report to residents of Tumwater which details transportation improvement costs, expenditures, revenues, and construction schedules:

History of Tumwater's Transportation Benefit District

In response to a need for street maintenance funding, the Tumwater City Council created a Transportation Benefit District, a quasi-municipal taxing jurisdiction, in September 2014 (see Ordinance No. O2014-019 and memo). State and Federal funding for maintenance and preservation of the City's streets has been reduced in recent years. While these revenues have decreased, costs continue to rise, making it difficult for the City to adequately preserve and maintain streets and sidewalks. Chapter 36.73 RCW provides for the establishment of transportation benefit districts for the purpose of levying additional revenue sources for funding transportation improvements.

In 2015, the TBD Board passed Resolution R2015-004 to place a ballot proposition before the residents of the district (City of Tumwater). On April 28, 2015, Tumwater voters approved a sales tax increase in the amount of two-tenths of one percent (0.2%) for a period of ten years to fund or finance specified transportation projects. Revenues collected from this sales tax levy are held in separate accounts and used only for authorized street maintenance projects.

When the Transportation Benefit District was originally established in September 2014, state law required that the city create a separate governing board, called the Tumwater Transportation Benefit District Board to oversee activities, expenditures and revenues. In 2015, the law was changed to allow the city council to assume governance of these funds and activities, creating more efficiency. The Tumwater City Council assumed this responsibility in November 2015 by passing Ordinance No. O2015-013. All Tumwater Transportation Benefit District business is conducted at regular city council meetings.