Lawrence & Tyler Streets Project

BUILDING A MORE RESILIENT SEWER FOR THE FUTURE

Project Update: February 12, 2025

Lawrence Street Sewer Inspection Begins February 18 through February 21

Project contact:
Mike Connelly, P.E.
mconnelly@cityofpt.us
(360) 531-2761

Project Overview

The city is addressing Uptown accessibility issues, pavement restoration, and sewer/stormwater separation through several grant-funded improvement projects. In Phase 1, the Lawrence Street Pedestrian Improvements Project completed with a focus on sidewalk and ramp improvements, in response to requests from the community, Jefferson County Farmers Markets (JCFM) and Disability Awareness Starts Here! (DASH). These accessibility improvements are necessary as the first step to eventually repaving Lawrence from Monroe Street to the Public Library. The City is pursuing additional grants to reconstruct pavement on Lawrence Street and is currently assessing the sewer lines under the street in preparation for planning purposes.

Phase 1 also includes planning a critical infrastructure project to reduce strain on the sanitary sewer system and the Monroe Street Lift Station caused by combined stormwater and sewage flows in the Lawrence Street sewer line (from Filmore to Monroe Street). This project aims to improve wastewater management, protection of public health, and environmental quality. This project is essential to perform first prior to the Lawrence Street pavement surface repairs.

As part of the early stages of the project, the city will need to conduct an inspection and assessment of the sewer system which will include camera inspections and smoke and dye testing to identify cross connections in the sewer system along Lawrence Street. An important task of the testing will be to locate breaks and defects in the sewer system. This will involve opening and entering of inspection holes on Lawrence Street. The smoke will also reveal sources where stormwater and surface water enter the sewer system.

See project vicinity map above.

Phase 1 Project Scope Underway:

• Smoke and dye testing will be conducted in mid-February to assess sewer infrastructure along Lawrence Street. Residents and visitors may see or smell smoke emanating from sewer access points. This type of testing is commonly used to identify sewer lines.

  What to Expect During the Inspection:
   

• The sewer inspection will take approximately one week.
   
• Inspections will be between 8:00AM and 6:00PM daily (Hours subject to change. See website for latest information.)
   
• Because the plumbing appliances in your house or building are connected to the sanitary sewer system, some smoke may enter your home or place of business. You may see or smell smoke exiting from sewer access points, roof vents, manholes, or gutters. This is normal and indicates the system is being tested.
   
• The smoke and dye used are non-toxic, non-staining, and safe for humans, pets, and the environment.
   
• Prior to smoke testing, we recommend pouring a gallon of water into open drain traps, basement bathroom drains, and floor drains to help maintain a water seal in the fixture trap. This water barrier will prevent smoke from entering the house during testing.
   
• If smoke enters your home, open windows and doors to ventilate the area as best you can given the cold weather. Simulated smoke should clear out quickly and will not stain walls or furniture or leave residue.
   
• Neither the City nor the crew that performs smoke testing will enter your home during the testing process.
   
• There may be some temporary traffic impacts for the sewer inspection, and if so, flaggers will direct traffic. Please drive slowly through the project area and look out for contractors and staff during the project’s duration.

Tentative timeline for the overall Sewer/Stormwater Separation Project is as follows:

Spring 2025 - Sewer data gathering involving camera inspection, smoke and dye testing, survey,  and soil testing

Summer 2025-Winter 2025 - Preliminary design for sewer, stormwater, and road reconstruction

Spring 2026 - Winter 2026 - Design

Spring 2027 - Construction

Currently this project is being funded by grant through the Public Works Board. Stay tuned to this page for updates as the project moves forward.

Phase 1 Project Scope Completed:

• Lawrence Street work between Harrison and Tyler Streets will primarily focus on installing bulbouts (sidewalk extensions) at the street corners.  The bulbouts are a proven way to make walking safer when crossing the street and to help slow down cars. The bulbouts will incorporate rain gardens and room for tree planting. 
  
• Three hornbeam trees will be removed on Lawrence where tree roots are damaging side sewers and buckling the sidewalk. The wood from these trees will go to the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. The sidewalk will be replaced in this area and thirteen new trees of species that are more appropriate for sidewalk infrastructure will be planted along the corridor. Overall, nine trees will be removed along Tyler and Lawrence, and thirteen new, sidewalk-compatible trees will be planted. 

Sidewalk heaving ground tree roots causing a trip hazard & uneven surface

• A new bus stop to support those experiencing disabilities and other transit riders will be installed at the Northwest corner of Lawrence Street near Tyler. Two parking stalls will be eliminated to support this new bus stop as requested by Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH).  All other bus stops in the area will remain and bus stops will not be closed during the project period.
   
• Tyler Street will also receive sidewalk repairs between Lawrence and Clay Streets on the west side of the street. Tree roots have caused tripping hazards along the sidewalk in front of the businesses. Corner ramps in this section will also be replaced to facilitate safe passage for those using assistive devices like wheelchairs and walkers.
   

Phase 2: Project Continuation in Spring and Summer 2025

• Repave Tyler Street between Lawrence and Jefferson Streets.  The pavement is quickly deteriorating and this is an opportunity to prevent complete pavement failure which is costly to address.
   
• The City Council approved head out (back in) angled parking on Tyler Street to replace the angled parking currently present.  Head out parking is much safer for bikes using this busy section of Uptown.  There is some helpful information in the Council consideration during the April 1st and April 15th business meetings. These meetings can be viewed on the City’s website at https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/agendasminutesvideos

  

  
   
• This project will also replace up to two regular parking stalls with handicap marked stalls on Tyler Street.  

Project Schedule & Construction Notices

Some work along Tyler Street started this summer by City and PUD crews or contractors. That work is ongoing. As the Lawrence & Tyler Street improvements continue, please note:  

• Work hours will be between 8:00AM and 6:00PM.
• Equipment may be staged in parking stalls adjacent to where work is occurring.
• There may be sidewalk closures along the side of the street where work is occurring and the opposite side will remain open for pedestrians. Safety in a high-traffic area like Uptown is of the utmost importance – businesses will remain open and accessible wherever possible with possible temporary closures for safety.
• It is expected that the road will remain open for the entirety of the project.  Traffic will be guided by flaggers when necessary.

Our Partners

This project was made successful through support of PT Main Street, Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH), the Jefferson County Farmers Market, Local 2020 Transportation Lab, and Jefferson County Transit.  These partners will continue to help get the word out, along with our City communications.
 

We understand that construction has impacts to businesses and residents and we ask for your patience, grace, and support this year as we make Uptown more inclusive to all users. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. 
 

Thank you for your support in improving access to our community resources!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

One key element of the project is parking. In April, City Council  requested an evaluation of parking alternatives on Tyler Street and solicited public feedback. The resulting decision from Council was to change the parking configuration on Tyler street, in front of businesses at the intersection with Lawrence, to head-out angled parking. See the graphic below.

The project strives to maintain legal parking. Many of the existing parking stalls do not meet requirements for setbacks from cross walks and intersections and thus, there will be a perception of a loss of parking.  Thus, staff developed a map illustrating the difference in legal parking before the project and after the project.   Currently 44 legal parking stalls exist on Lawrence Street between Harrison Street and Tyler Streets.  After the project there will be 43 parking stalls with tick marks for more efficient parking.  Currently 59 legal parking stalls on Tyler Street between Lawrence Street and Jefferson Street. After the project there will be 56 parking stalls including 2 ADA parking stalls. Please see the parking count map.

For more information on the Council decision to have head-out angled parking installed, please refer to the City Council meetings on April 1, 2024 and April and April 15, 2024.  The project strives to maintain legal parking.

Please click on the links below for more information on the project and stay tuned as additional details and the construction schedule are released. Read the City Quarterly, City Facebook Page, and City Utility Bill Newsletter to stay up-to-date. You can contact Project Manager Laura Parsons, P.E. with questions about this project. 

Lawrence & Tyler Plans

Lawrence St. ADA and Pedestrian Safety Project: Complete Streets

Tree Planting Plan - Lawrence St

Tree Planting Plan - Tyler St