PORT TOWNSEND — Work is progressing smoothly at the intersection of Quincy and Washington streets in spite of the rough weather of the past week.
City Engineer and Project Manager Laura Parsons said the intersection transformation is taking shape. The work is a continuation of the Jefferson Street Sidewalk Extension project.
“The bulb-outs are all dug and the conduit for new street lighting is being installed,” she said.
“Light standards and fixtures will be similar to those outside of City Hall. Additionally, when work on the Water Street Enhancement Project is finalized, the same lights have been specified to maintain a consistent look.”
She said there was an incident earlier last week when equipment scraped a water main and one section of pipe had to be replaced.
“Everyone was so helpful,” Parsons said. “Water had to be shut off. We immediately contacted every business in the affected area including the Bishop Hotel, the Community School, City Hall and others. We worked to get back online as quickly as possible.”
Parsons noted that there are stop signs placed at the intersection, and the northwest side is closed to traffic on Jefferson Street, where work continues on a small pedestrian plaza at the top of the Haller Fountain steps.
“We’re preparing for curb pouring here and at the intersection and are hoping to get both projects completed in one day,” Parsons said.
She said grading the area for new parking spaces was demanding.
“It was a challenge working on a slope and we had to get it done properly,” she said. Twenty new parking spots are included in the new plan.
Parsons said the tentative finish date is Jan. 14. Depending on changes, it might take a little longer. The conduit work was not part of the original plans.
Seton Construction is the main contractor on the project. Concrete will be poured by Concrete Services, based in Fife. Lakeside Industries, the company involved in the Water Street Enhancement Project, will complete paving in January to finish the project.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
