SEQUIM — City officials say that when the five blocks of torn-up roads in downtown Sequim are put back together, they’ll be markedly improved.
That should be accomplished by the end of November, said City Engineer David Garlington.
Garlington said the project is part of an ongoing effort by the city to replace a number of old, outdated water lines.
Some of the water lines that are being replaced were installed “in the ’60s and ’70s,” Garlington said.
Many are too small, including a few 2-inch lines that are being pulled up.
“That’s totally inadequate for downtown flow,” he said.
Outmoded materials
Others are made from materials that are no longer welcome, including asbestos concrete and galvanized iron.
Garlington said the total budget for the current project is $733,000.
In addition to replacing the pipes, the contract calls for resurfacing the streets.
Garlington said the streets were already in need of grooming.
A small portion of the funds will be used to upgrade the corner ramps of a few of the sidewalks to meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.
The work is underway just east of Sequim-Dungeness Way on four streets: East Bell, East Maple, East Prairie and the alley between Maple and Prairie.
The work on Sunnyside is taking place between Maple and Prairie.
Garlington said the funding is drawn from the city’s water replacement reserve fund, which is collected as part of utility rates, and from the water general facility fund.
The latter is collected from those residents putting in new connections, he said.
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Reporter Mark St.J. Couhig can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at mcouhig@peninsuladailynews.com.
