PORT TOWNSEND — Two Port Townsend downtown construction projects are expected to be completed next week despite interference from strong winds.
The Post Office Curb Extension Project’s construction began Dec. 30, and the Adams Street Curb Ramps Project’s construction began Jan. 2.
The Post Office project is centered on the corner of Washington and Harrison streets, while the Adams Street project is around the corners of Washington and Adams streets.
Workers from Shawn Canepa Contracting work on the Adams Street Curb Ramps project on the corner of Adams and Washington streets Tuesday afternoon. Modifications to the sidewalk and streets there include a new bulbout, new stormwater facilities and three new ADA ramps. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
Both projects are set to be completed by or on Jan. 17. Strong winds, which have blow off and on for the past two weeks, have held up progress on the Post Office project.
Workers have to secure their fencing, signage and other equipment from blowing over, said city civil engineer Laura Parsons.
“It’s slowing them a little bit, the weather, but the plan is to be done by Jan. 17,” Parsons said. “My hard hat almost got blown off; that’s when you know it’s really windy.”
Both projects are funded through the Transportation Improvement Board under its Complete Streets Grant, Parsons said.
The Adams Street project has a budget of $38,150 with Shawn Canepa Contracting and the Post Office project has a budget of $42,000 with Rocky Bay Construction, Parsons said.
Laborers work on the Adams Street Curb Ramps project on the corner of Adams and Washington streets. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
Modifications to Adams Street and its sidewalk include a new bulb-out, new stormwater facilities and three new ramps for the disabled, which are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Parsons said.
The Post Office project is very similar. It includes new bulb-outs, stormwater facilities and four ADA ramps, Parsons said.
The storm water facilities include rain-gardens, catch basins and pipes that filter rain runoff before it travels into the storm system and into Puget Sound, Parsons said.
“Its good for Salish Sea health,” Parsons said.
The bulb-outs decrease the amount of distance that pedestrians need to cross the street, and also make roads appear smaller, encouraging drivers to slow down, Parsons said.
“It can also create a sense of place making. There’s more space where people can stand and potentially gather and talk,” Parsons said.
The workers also will put in new street lights at the two project areas, Parsons said.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com
