PORT TOWNSEND — Construction on Upper Sims Way improvements will likely begin this week.
“They are currently staging and preparing the storm pond,” said Samantha Trone, development review engineer for the city of Port Townsend.
“Currently everything is going pretty well as we solidify the schedule.
“The first work people notice will likely be this week, along the north lane, as they work on the utilities.”
The Upper Sims Way project — which came into bid at $2.6 million — 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.
Part of city’s 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 budget for the Upper Sims Way project is $3.2 million, including $1.6 million in federal stimulus money.
“In the next three weeks or so they will begin work on the frontage of the streets,” said Rick Sepler, director of development services for the city.
“They will begin there, and move on as they work on the roads and eventually the new roundabouts.”
Sepler said traffic is not expected to be stopped for long periods of time during the construction as crews divert two lanes through the work.
The substantial completion date for the project is May 10.
Local workers
In July, when the bid was awarded, City Manager David Timmons said he was happy to see local workers of Seton Construction Co. put on the job by the project.
“The good news is that it’s a local company,” Timmons said.
“That’s a real plus for us, because it’s taking that federal money and bring it back to the city, for a city project with city workers.
“It’s really going to be put to good use.”
The Upper Sims Way project has been discussed as an active project for more than a year.
The renovation was originally left off the list of projects to receive funds from the federal stimulus package, but in June the state held a second round of allocations using leftover stimulus money and elected to give the money to the city of Port Townsend to renovate and improve the main entrance to town, state Highway 20.
Also being added to the roadway is a barrier between the two directions of traffic, the elimination of a turning middle lane and sidewalk improvements along the road.
Six major projects
The project is one of six major construction projects the city will begin this year.
Along with improvements to Sims Way, multiple downtown streetscape improvements and renovation of the waterfront esplanade are all slated to begin by the end of this year.
The cost of all the projects is estimated at a little more than $12.5 million.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com