A $10 million road widening project in Tumwater is being moved to avoid disturbing 16 century-old graves.

The unmarked graves were discovered in February during a historical survey for the project along Littlerock Road by Pioneer Cemetery. It's one of the oldest cemeteries in the state.

On Monday night the Tumwater town council was told the project will be moved 20 feet to the east to avoid disturbing the newly discovered graves.

The change does not come without a cost. Public Works Director Jay Eaton says as many as 60 more trees will have to be removed, the project must now be done in two phases and more land must be acquired.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com