PORT ANGELES — The design and material for the new Eighth Street bridges have been selected.
Now it’s time to decide on the “streetscape” — or everything else about the bridges, including the color.
That’s the message project engineers from Exeltech Consulting of Olympia told a small group during a Tuesday night open house at City Hall.
“The streetscape advisory committee said to keep it as simple as possible,” said Project Manager Bernie Chaplin, adding that the 12-member group could use more members.
Items yet to be decided include the railings on the outside of the bridges, and those that separate pedestrians from traffic as well as lights, approaches, viewpoints and potential artwork or other decoration, Chaplin said.
Public suggestions
City Public Works Director Glenn Cutler said he wanted to bring at least two options to the City Council for consideration plus costs, so he encourages feedback from the public.
The city is planning to replace the two aging Eighth Street bridges above Valley and Tumwater creeks beginning in 2005.
Final design will occur between August and April 2005. The project will be advertised for bid in April and May. Construction will begin in July 2005 and be completed by September 2006.
The estimated project cost of up to $20 million is being paid almost entirely by state grants.
