PORT ANGELES – Response time for the city’s police and fire departments is not expected to be severely affected when the two Eighth Street bridges close later this summer, said the chiefs of both departments.
But if response time is slowed, the Clallam County Juvenile and Family Services Department building at 1912 W. 18th St. is available as an impromptu substation.
“As long as the traffic mitigation measures help in keeping traffic flow going, we shouldn’t have a problem, based upon our research,” said Fire Chief Dan McKeen.
Acting Police Chief Terry Gallagher said he also does not expect response times to be slower during the closures.
But if they are, adjustments can be made, such as stationing an officer at the juvenile center.
The city has planned since 2003 to replace the twin narrow bridges that have towered over Valley and Tumwater creeks for more than 70 years.
The Port Angeles City Council awarded the $18.4 million construction contract to Parson RCI Inc. of Sumner, Wash. at its April 4 meeting.
At a December 2003 public forum on the project, both McKeen and then-Police Chief Tom Riepe said their departments needed one-lane across the bridges at all times.
The project was delayed for two years after the bids came in at least 50 percent over the engineer’s estimate.
During the interim, contractors told city officials the project could be completed more quickly at less cost if both bridges were closed at the same time.
