PORT ANGELES — The first phase of Race Street improvement will begin Tuesday with work on the section of roadway between Eighth Street and Olympus Avenue, just south of the Olympic National Park Visitor Center.
The second phase, which will impact traffic on more northern portions of Race Street, which runs from Front Street to the visitor center, is expected to begin in 2024.
This first phase, which affects 3,400 feet of the roadway and costs an estimated $4.9 million, will create traffic delays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays — and perhaps at other times — probably through the end of the year, city officials said.
Work by Interwest Construction Inc., on Race and a section of Mount Angeles Road will include the installation of a shared-use trail for pedestrians, widening the sidewalk, and adding a new ADA ramp and pedestrian lighting among other crossing and additions intended to calm traffic.
Simultaneously the city will begin a water line replacement, upgrading the aging water utility main and connections running within the Race Street right of way, as well as placing stormwater infrastructure and conveyance.
Traffic along this portion of Race Street likely will be reduced to one lane, along with some sidewalk closures and the installation of temporary traffic signs
Some businesses and residences also could be affected by the water line replacement work.
“In order to upgrade the water main and connections, temporary water shut-off lasting several hours will be required in certain areas,” said Jessica Straits, city communications manager, in an email.
“Residents will be notified of any disruptions to water service with door hangers approximately 72 hours prior,” she said.
Straits said that the city has provided a construction notice to residents located within 300 feet of the work zone.
One of the ultimate aims of the project is to connect Race Street to the Olympic Discovery Trail via a shared-use trail to create easy and safe access from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center to to the Port Angeles waterfront.
“Our goal is to make this corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, transit users, and others,” City Engineer Jonathan Boehme said in a press release.
The project is funded through matching federal and state transportation and recreation grants.
The grants were awarded by Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) funding from the Western Federal Lands Highway Division and the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
Residents can stay up-to-date on the Race Street Improvement Project by visiting the city website atwww.cityofpa.us/cityprojects.
________
Reporter Ken Park can be reached at kpark@peninsuladailynews.com
