PORT TOWNSEND — This week marks the final days of the old Upper Sims Way.
Port Townsend city officials have set a date for construction to begin along the state Highway 20 entrance to town.
Beginning Monday, Seton Construction crews will start clearing obstructions and preparing storm water pipe for installation on the northern side of Upper Sims Way near Logan Street.
The $2.6 million project, which is expected to continue until May 2010, will include the burial of utility lines in the area, the repaving of the roads and the installation of roundabouts — or traffic circles — at Howard Street and Thomas Street.
“We will start on [the East end of Upper Sims Way] and work from Logan Street to Howard Street along the north side,” said Samantha Trone, development review engineer for the City of Port Townsend, on Tuesday.
“This week, we are working on going to all the neighbors and informing them that we have a schedule to start on Monday.
“Right now, we don’t expect to see any delays in traffic, as it’s just on the shoulder, but you will see crews working.”
The tentative plan for construction to begin in the roadways is Oct. 15, when utility work will be started near Logan Street.
“The plan is to keep one lane of traffic open near Logan Street at this time,” Trone said.
“The full traffic control plan is still being worked on, and will be released as soon as we have it.”
No detours
Trone said no detours are planned during construction.
“For the most part, the roads will remain open,” Trone said. “We hope for the most part, it will be two lanes, even, as we work across the roads.”
The two main roads which work around the construction are Discovery Road, beginning and ending at Glen Cove Road to the west and McPherson Street to the east, and Glen Cove Road which connects to Thomas Street.
Part of face-lift
The project on the main highway in and out of Port Townsend is one of the major construction undertakings on a list of city projects intended by city officials to complete a face-lift of Port Townsend and provide jobs within the local economy.
The city has budgeted $3.2 million, including $1.6 million in federal stimulus money, to handle overruns or other surprises.
Port Townsend posts construction updates on its Web site at www.cityofpt.us/PublicWorks/UpperSimsWay.asp.
Trone said it will be updated every Friday.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.