Washington State law allows cities and counties to create a Transportation Benefit District (TBD) that collects certain fees and taxes to help implement transportation projects within its boundaries. This legislation protects the revenue raised by the TBD by not allowing it to be used on other county programs. For more information about Washington State TBD Legislation, click here.

In 2014, Thurston County created a TBD covering the county's unincorporated areas. It does not include any incorporated cities or towns, but it does include the urban growth areas just outside the city limits of the cities and towns.

Thurston County’s transportation system consists of over 1,026 miles of roadway, 150 bridges, 107 miles of sidewalks, 56 miles of trails, over 17,000 traffic control signs, and more than 1,000 street lights, along with a stormwater drainage and retention system. 

Public Works operates and maintains these county roadways and traffic control system devices. 

Roadway maintenance includes asphalt repairs, roadside mowing to improve line-of-sight for drivers, and drainage system improvements to prevent flooding. 

Traffic control system maintenance includes installing or fixing traffic signs, street lights, pedestrian traffic beacons, and traffic signals. 

To ensure safety and improved traffic conditions, Public Works also performs traffic studies and planning, revises speed limits as necessary, and improves the overall transportation system.