US 12 is an important north-south link that moves people and goods. It connects I-5 at Grand Mound to US 8 at Elma. The intersection serves several schools in the Rochester School District:
- Rochester High School
- Grand Mound Elementary School
- Rochester Primary School
- Rochester Middle School
Safety is WSDOT’s number one priority. This project will apply Target Zero practices to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
WSDOT studied crashes along this corridor between 2019 and 2024. We found the most common types of crashes were T-bone and rear end. That’s why a roundabout is the best solution at this intersection. Drivers enter the roundabout at an angle to eliminate the T-bone collision. They also enter at a lower speed to reduce the severity of crashes. This pre-design will use data and community input to develop the roundabout design.
Conceptual drawing for proposed roundabout at US 12 and Old Hwy 9
Schedule
- May – June 2025
Community outreach and final recommendation - July 2025
Project design - Summer 2026
Project construction
Funding
The roundabout project is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program. The estimated cost to design and build the roundabout is $4.3 million. Cost and construction dates are subject to change.
Stay connected!
Visit the US 12/Old Highway 9 Roundabout Pre-Design webpage.
Get email updates for major roadwork and construction on state highways in Thurston County.
Contact
Bernie Gertje
Pre-Design Lead
Bernie.Gertje@wsdot.wa.gov
Kaitlin Fauver
Acting Principal Multimodal Planner
Kaitlin.Fauver@wsdot.wa.gov