The S 12th Street Preservation and Safety Improvements project addresses several critical needs within the community. The city updated pavement scores citywide in 2025 and calculated an average PCI score of 53 within the project limits. The pavement needs an overlay now while preservation is still possible, as it nears a tipping point where full reconstruction will be necessary. The Tacoma Vision Zero Action Plan identifies S 12th St as a High-Risk Network corridor, which indicates a high number and probability of fatal and serious injury crashes. 70 crashes were recorded in just the last 3 years, with 31 resulting in injuries. A road safety audit was conducted in 2025 with funding from the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission and many safety concerns and recommendations were identified. Safety concerns identified include lack of safe crossing locations, lack of curb ramps, outdated sub-standard signal equipment, and a higher risk lane configuration where narrow lanes are adjacent to narrow bike lanes with no separation and high traffic volumes. According to the Tacoma Equity Index, 17% of the population in this area are individuals with disabilities, making the lack of accessibility a significant mobility and safety deficiency, as people in wheelchairs are forced to use the street to reach their destinations. Existing bicycle facilities are deficient for the traffic volumes and are inconsistent with standards in Tacomas Transportation Master Plan (TMP).
Projects — TIB Project Information
TIB Project Information
City of Tacoma's S 12th Street Improvements
8-1-128(099)-1
8-1-128(099)-1
S 12th Street Improvements
S Grant St to S Cedar St
FY 2027 Urban Arterial Program
Current Phase : Design
Total TIB Funding : $3,720,999
County: Pierce | Legislative District: 27 | Project Length: 0.87 | TIB Engineer: Greg Armstrong | Last Payment Date:
Project Information
| Lead Agency | TACOMA |
| Funding Year | 2027 |
| Program | UAP |
| Current Phase | Design |
| Legislative District | 27 |
| Congressional District | 6 |
| Federal Route Number | 3264 |
| Project Length | 0.87 mi. |
| ADT | 13,075 |
| Functional Class | Minor |
| Type of Work | Resurfacing |
| Project Contact | Veronicah Munyao |
| Contact Email | vmunyao@cityoftacoma.org |
| TIB Engineer | Greg Armstrong |
| Last Payment Date | |
| Cultural Resource Assessment | CRA |
Project Schedule
| Target Date | Actual Date | |
|---|---|---|
| Project Selection Date | 11/21/2025 | |
| Delayed Project Date | 07/01/2030 | |
| DAHP Assessment Date | ||
| Predesign Approval | ||
| Design Approval | 02/01/2026 | 12/22/2025 |
| Bid Auth. Approval | 10/26/2026 | |
| Construction Approval | 12/28/2026 | |
| Project Closeout | 12/31/2027 | |
| Audit Date | ||
| Withdrawn Date |
Project Funding
| TIB Funds | Project Costs | |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Study | 0 | 0 |
| Design Study | 0 | 0 |
| Total Predesign | 0 | 0 |
| Special Study | 0 | 0 |
| Design | 260,647 | 434,790 |
| Right of Way | 71,937 | 120,000 |
| Total Design | 332,584 | 554,790 |
| Construction Engineering | 521,295 | 869,580 |
| Construction Contract | 2,606,473 | 4,347,900 |
| Other Construction | 260,647 | 434,790 |
| Total Construction | 3,388,415 | 5,652,270 |
| Total TIB Funding | 3,720,999 | 6,207,060 |
Local Funding Partners
| Funding Amount | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| TACOMA | 2,486,061 | 40.1% |
| WSDOT Funding | 0 | 0.0% |
| Total Local Funding | 2,486,061 | 40.1% |
Project Description
The proposed improvements along S. 12th Street offer a comprehensive solution to these community needs. The proposed project will make localized repairs, and the street surface will be milled and overlaid with a minimum of 2 of new HMA. This treatment is the best and most cost-effective option for the condition observed. It will improve ride quality and safety while protecting the underlying roadway base and subgrade. This project will preserve the street at the lowest lifecycle cost and bring the PCI into the excellent category, improving ride quality/IRI, reset the maintenance cycle, and add 15-20 years to the life of this street. Three traffic signals systems will be upgraded with larger signal heads with reflective backplates for greater visibility. New APS and leading pedestrian intervals increase pedestrian visibility and reduce crashes. Safety enhancements at Sprague, where many crashes occur, will compliment a separate project to install the same improvements at 11th and Sprague funded by HSIP. Westbound lane removal will allow for protected bike lanes with a buffer and mountable curb with delineators to be installed separating cyclists form traffic. All crossings and left turns will be made safer by the removal of the through lane for fewer conflict points. Merging and run-off the road collisions will also be reduced by the lane reduction and new bike lane barrier. Three RRFB systems will be added to create more enhanced crossings for pedestrian safety and access.
Existing Condition
Project Benefits
- Improves safety;
- Improves pedestrian safety;
- Restores structural condition;
- Removes ADA barriers
Project Pictures
No images available.
Project Delays
| Delay Type | Resolution Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|
No delayed project history. |
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