Purpose

The purpose of the East Martin Way Gateway Station Roundabout (roundabout) is to establish an integrated bus turnaround facility and station area at the intersection of east Martin Way and Meridian Road. The project will improve pedestrian safety, support Intercity Transit’s operational needs, and serve current and future general purpose and freight traffic at this location. Martin Way connects some of the region’s most ethnically, racially, and economically diverse neighborhoods to jobs, medical services, retail and recreation, park & ride facilities, and transit centers. Read on or see our story map to learn more about the project.

Current Service 

In May 2026 bus service changed across the network, including along east Martin Way. Buses on the new Route 50 travel bi-directionally on Martin Way between downtown Olympia and the Meridian Rd./Duterow Rd. intersection. Bi-directional service continues on Meridian Rd. to Orion Rd. and terminates at the Hawks Prairie Park and Ride. Bus service is operated seven days a week with buses on the Route 50 serving designated bus stops every 30 minutes. The new Route 50 is designed to provide meaningful access to nearby shopping, services, and River Ridge High School from nearby neighborhoods, as well as connections to other bus routes, including the new Route 9X with frequent service between east Lacey and west Olympia.

The implementation of bi-directional service on Martin Way between Meridian Rd. and Marvin Rd. is an important improvement; however, the design of the new Route 50 includes a large loop of one-way bus service in NE Lacey to achieve westbound transit access on Martin Way. A conversion of the intersection on Martin Way at Meridian Rd./Duterow Rd. to a roundabout increases the utility of the intersection, giving Intercity Transit options in how service is designed, including the ability to potentially improve the frequency of buses operating along the busy corridor.

About the Project

The current service model increases trip time and distance, which is why we're proposing to establish a transit station and integrated roundabout at this key intersection.

The new roundabout will enable Martin Way corridor service to turn around at Meridian Road and begin westbound service, providing more direct service and improving service quality on east Martin Way. The project also includes pedestrian improvements and supports future transit service options in northeast Lacey. This will allow Intercity Transit to improve schedule reliability and maintain frequent service on the corridor. Maintaining 15-minute frequency on the corridor without deviations will allow for more efficient service, enabling service hours to be reinvested elsewhere in the system. Conducting this project now will allow us to be well-positioned to deliver future service as promised in our Proposition 1 ballot initiative.

Project Benefits

  • Establishes an endpoint for high-frequency service.
  • Provides a turnaround for inbound (westward) trips.
  • Improves pedestrian safety by reducing conflicts with turning vehicles
  • Provides a bus station area for passenger loading and layover needs.
  • Removes barriers to high-quality corridor service for East Martin Way.
  • Implements a transit-supportive intersection design.

Project Phases

We have proposed three project phases:

  • Phase 1: Preliminary Engineering and Design - Current phase
  • Phase 2: Right-of-Way Acquisition
  • Phase 3: Construction

We are currently in Phase 1, Preliminary Engineering and Design, of a three-phase grant-funded construction project that will be followed by a right-of-way acquisition phase and a construction phase. Phase 1 will include:

  • Topographic survey and right-of-way mapping.
  • Geotechnical analysis.
  • Traffic study.
  • Permitting.

As elements of this phase are completed, Intercity Transit will hold public meetings to share results and gather community feedback on the project design.

The project has support from the City of Lacey, Thurston County and the Thurston Regional Planning Council.

Project Funding

Intercity Transit applied for, and received grants, under Washington State’s Bus and Bus Facilities Program and the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Surface Transportation Program (STP) to provide "end of line" operational staging through the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Martin Way and Duterrow Rd./Meridian Rd.

The Intercity Transit Authority (ITA) has authorized the General Manager to execute a contract with SCJ Alliance for the preliminary engineering, design, environmental and right-of-way planning. The budget for Phase 1 of the project is $798,124.67.

Project Contractors

  • Phase 1: SCJ Alliance
  • Phase 2: To be determined
  • Phase 3: To be determined

For More Information

Peter Stackpole, Development Director
360-357-1795 or pstackpole@intercitytransit.com

News and Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the East Martin Way Gateway Station Roundabout project?

    The purpose of the East Martin Way Gateway Station Roundabout is to establish an integrated turnaround facility and station area at the intersection of east Martin Way and Meridian Road. The project will improve pedestrian safety, support Intercity Transit’s operational needs, and serve current and future general purpose and freight traffic at this location.

  1. Is there a design for the roundabout?

    Currently, there is no roundabout design. Conceptual designs were submitted as part of the original grant application, but they were theoretical. Design work will begin following environmental review, traffic analysis, and the public review process.

  1. Why are you proposing a roundabout at this location?

    The new roundabout will enable Martin Way corridor service to turn around at Meridian Road and begin westbound service, providing more direct service and improving service quality on east Martin Way. The project also includes pedestrian improvements and supports future transit service options in northeast Lacey. This will allow Intercity Transit to improve schedule reliability and maintain frequent service on the corridor. Maintaining 15-minute frequency on the corridor without deviations will allow for more efficient service, enabling service hours to be reinvested elsewhere in the system. Conducting this project now will allow us to be well-positioned to deliver future service as promised in our Proposition 1 ballot initiative.

  1. How many phases of construction will there be?

    There will be three phases of construction:

    1) Preliminary Engineering and Design -- Current phase

    2) Right-of-Way (ROW) Acquisition

    3) Construction

  1. Where are you at in the project?

    We are currently in Phase 1, Preliminary Engineering and Design, of a three-phase grant-funded construction project that will be followed by a right-of-way acquisition phase and a construction phase. Phase 1 will include:

  • Topographic survey and right-of-way mapping.
  • Geotechnical analysis.
  • Traffic study.
  • Permitting. 
  1. Will there be an opportunity to share thoughts on the project and when?

    As elements of this phase are completed, Intercity Transit will hold public meetings to share results and gather community feedback on the project design.

    We don't know exactly when the public outreach will occur, but anticipate it will begin in late 2026. When we have firm dates and information to share, we'll update this webpage.

  1. When will the roundabout be finished?

    We anticipate Phase 1 of the project will be complete in late summer of 2026. Subsequent phases and their timelines will be established based on what we learn in Phase 1 and what we hear from the community during public outreach.

  1. Do you have support from Thurston County and the City of Lacey?

    Yes, we are collaborating with Thurston County on this project and have a letter of support from the City of Lacey for this project.