Starting in 2018, Port Townsend’s Water Street will undergo a major enhancement project that includes updated utilities, a new road surface and more safety for pedestrians and bikers. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)

Starting in 2018, Port Townsend’s Water Street will undergo a major enhancement project that includes updated utilities, a new road surface and more safety for pedestrians and bikers. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)

Port Townsend moving ahead on Water Street project

PORT TOWNSEND — The city of Port Townsend is moving forward with a plan to rehabilitate Water Street, which is just one of $13.8 million in capital projects the city is considering in the next two years.

According to the project description from the city Public Works Department, the Water Street Enhancement project will run from the Port Townsend ferry landing and along Water Street to Taylor Street.

Starting in January, the city began applying for permits for the project and will be in the process of getting permits and designing the finished product until August, according to the Public Works Department’s current schedule.

The city plans to open up the project to bids in September and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2018. Under the current schedule, the city hopes to have construction completed by June 2018 so as to not impede the tourist season too much.

The project will be funded partially through grants. The city currently does not have a cost estimate for the overall project since it is still in the planning phase.

However, the city was awarded $690,000 from the state Transportation Improvement Board for a new road surface and new access ramps. The city also kicked in a $1 million bond to cover updates to the water, sewer and stormwater systems as well as pay for “community priorities.”

According to the project website, the city felt the community was pushing for streetscape enhancements, and pedestrians and bike safety features.

With the city funds, the project will also include wider sidewalks and bike lanes along with utility replacements and resurfacing the cracked roadway.

There will also be $957,000 of funding available from the water, sewer and stormwater utility funds.

According to the project website, the city decided to combine these projects in order to cut costs and limit disruption to businesses along Water Street, which is the main street through downtown and the only access to much of the waterfront.

The Water Street Enhancement Project is only one of five that the city is eyeing in the next two years. The current capital project budget also funds updates to the water treatment facility and reservoir and the Howard Street Extension, which broke ground in August.

According to the Howard Street project update, stormwater and utility trenches are currently being dug and curbing is being installed. The Howard Street project was expected to be completed in nine months but wet winter weather delayed the project.

The city is also planning for future projects, which include a regional stormwater system for Howard Street and a pedestrian walkway over state Highway 20 from Logan Street to Hancock Street.

More information on all of these projects can be found at www.cityofpt.us under Capital Projects.

________

Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.

Starting in 2018, Port Townsend’s Water Street will undergo a major enhancement project that includes updated utilities, a new road surface and more safety for pedestrians and bikers. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)

Starting in 2018, Port Townsend’s Water Street will undergo a major enhancement project that includes updated utilities, a new road surface and more safety for pedestrians and bikers. (Cydney McFarland/Peninsula Daily News)

More in News

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action

City of Port Angeles updates mobile and itinerant vendor code

Effective March 1, process expands definitions, establishes criteria

Port Angeles school board approves criteria for new leader

Directors looking for visionary innovator with extensive experience

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created with the assistance of volunteers Chandra McGuff, left, and Nicole Lemon at a craft table set up outside the Silver Lining Cafe at The Wharf on Saturday on the Port Angeles waterfront. Youngsters were given the opportunity to create gifts and Valentine’s cookies during the event. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s gift

Madison Canterbury, 7, of Shelton looks at a Valentine’s gift she created… Continue reading

Lavender Cowder, 7, in her front yard on A street in west Port Angeles, tries to taste a snowflake during a brief snow shower Sunday. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
A taste of winter

Lavender Cowder, age 7, in her front yard on A street in… Continue reading

The Clallam Bay Early Learning Center opened Monday to help provide service to an area with an identified childcare desert. At first, the center will accept nine children under 6 years old, with the goal of expanding to a total of 30 children. (Clallam Economic Development Council)
Daycare opens in Clallam Bay to address ‘childcare desert’

Nine slots available to start, with plans to expand to 30 children

Port of Port Angeles matching grants to aid infrastructure projects

Recompete funds will be used to purchase barges

Humane society board votes on transparency

Meeting minutes, financial statements won’t be shared with public

Rhody royalty to be crowned on Saturday

Queen, princess to be honored at Chimacum High School

Recipients of Port Angeles Community Awards gather after Saturday night’s awards gala at Field Arts & Events Hall in Port Angeles. Winners were, from left, counselor Jason Gooding of the Port Angeles School District, educator of the year; Rose Thompson, executive director of the Dungeness Crab Festival and owner of Fogtown Coffee Bar, young leader of the year; Danny Steiger, CEO of Lumber Traders Inc., citizen of the year; Alicia Campion, administrator of Ridgeline Homecare Cooperative, emerging business of the year; Don Droz, general manager of Swain’s General Store, business of the year; and Elisia Anderson, executive director of First Step Family Support Center, organization of the year. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen, business of year honored at awards gala

Three finalists named in six categories for efforts in 2024

Winter virus season continues

Flu affecting students; RSV, COVID-19 mild