PORT TOWNSEND — Water Street should be ready for traffic by this afternoon, city personnel said.
“It should be open by Tuesday,” City Engineer Dave Peterson said Monday.
“The water’s back on,” he said. “We need to put concrete fill underneath the road and wait for it to dry before laying down temporary pavement.”
A broken water main early Sunday closed Water Street — state Highway 20 — between Washington Street and the Port Townsend ferry terminal.
Crews worked throughout the day to repair the break.
Water service was restored to businesses and homes on the west end of downtown by afternoon, but the road repairs could not be accomplished until material from Issaquah arrived.
The underground location of the leak was pinpointed at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, with the pipe replaced and water restored at around 3 p.m.
The broken pipe was in front of the Tides Inn at 1807 Water St., where guests got half off their room charges, said employee Skeeter Martinez.
Water Street remained closed Monday between the ferry terminal and Washington Street, which was used as a detour for downtown traffic.
The Bayview Restaurant, midway between the two points, will remain shuttered until the road is reopened, said owner Kelly Anthony.
“Our water came back, but there is no way that anyone can reach the restaurant,” she said, adding, “I wish they could have opened one side of the street so people could get here.”
Peterson said pavement will be replaced on the area covering the pipe with a temporary patch that will be made permanent in the spring.
He said a cost estimate of the repair has not been determined.
The largest expense, Peterson said, will be staff overtime.
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
