2026 Street Work and Maintenance

2026 street work and maintenance

Use this page to find current street work, planned 2026 projects, traffic impacts, detours, and the best way to report a street problem in Port Townsend.

The City maintains streets, sidewalks, pavement markings, drainage features, vegetation in limited City-maintained areas, and other public street assets. Street projects also improve safety, accessibility, drainage, and pavement condition.

2026 Street Work Overview: Planned 2026 street work locations. Final schedules may change due to weather, contractor availability, and field conditions.

Current status (Last Update: 6/11/2026)

Several street repair, preservation, and safety projects are planned or underway in 2026. Work may include asphalt patching, chip seal, pavement markings, sidewalk improvements, ADA curb ramps, crossing improvements, and traffic-calming features.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and may change based on contractor availability, grant approvals, traffic control needs, and field conditions. Major updates and traffic impacts should be posted on this page and on the City Projects map as dates are confirmed.

How this work is funded

The City uses several funding sources to deliver street repair, preservation, safety, and accessibility improvements. Combining local funds with grants and partnerships allows the City to complete more work than local funding could support on its own.

Why the City partners with Jefferson County

The City and Jefferson County are working together on chip seal and related preservation work. This partnership gives the City access to specialized equipment, experienced crews, and an efficient delivery model for pavement preservation.

• Helps complete more street work with available local funding.
• Reduces the need to separately bid every small preservation segment.
• Improves coordination between nearby city and county pavement-preservation work.
• Supports a regular, repeatable approach to chip seal and street preservation.

What to expect during street work

• Temporary lane shifts, flaggers, single-lane traffic control, or short-term closures near active work areas.
• Posted no-parking notices or temporary access changes where crews need room to work.
• Noise, dust, loose rock, pavement edges, and heavy equipment during construction hours.
• Weather-dependent schedule changes for chip seal, paving, striping, and similar work.
• Driveway access may be delayed for short periods while crews work directly in front of a property.
• Emergency access will be maintained. Please follow posted signs and directions from traffic-control staff.

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Image caption: Temporary traffic control helps crews work safely while maintaining local and emergency access.

Why this work matters

Street work is more than paving. The City uses street repair and preservation projects to extend pavement life, improve safety, improve accessibility, support walking and biking, and reduce long-term repair costs.

• Pavement preservation keeps streets in service longer and helps avoid more expensive reconstruction.
• Patching and spot repairs address failed pavement before chip seal or other surface treatments are applied.
• Drainage improvements protect the street base and extend the life of pavement.
• Sidewalk, crossing, and ADA improvements help make streets safer and more accessible.
• Traffic-calming and bike/pedestrian improvements support the City’s safety and transportation goals.

Image caption: Pavement preservation and spot repairs help extend street life and reduce the need for more costly reconstruction.

Before work begins near your property

Property owners can help crews work safely and efficiently by preparing frontage areas before construction or chip seal work begins.

• Trim vegetation that hangs into the sidewalk, shoulder, or roadway. See Right-of-Way Maintenance Requirements below.
• Keep ditches, culverts, and drainage paths clear of yard waste and debris.
• Move vehicles, trailers, basketball hoops, garbage cans, and other personal items out of the work area when notices are posted.
• Watch for temporary no-parking signs, door hangers, reader boards, and web updates.
• Contact Public Works before doing work in the right-of-way; some vegetation, drainage, or frontage work may require a permit.

Chip seal: what residents should know

Chip seal is a pavement-preservation treatment that places oil and small rock on the street surface. It helps seal and protect the pavement and can extend the life of a street when applied at the right time.

Chip Seal Process: Chip seal preserves pavement by applying asphalt emulsion and rock, followed by rolling and sweeping.

• Chip seal is not the same as full pavement reconstruction.
• Loose rock is expected immediately after application. Crews return to sweep the street after the rock has had time to embed.
• Please drive slowly on newly chip-sealed streets and avoid sharp turns, sudden braking, and parking on fresh material when directed.
• Schedule changes are common because chip seal depends on dry weather, pavement temperature, and crew availability.
• Some streets need pavement repair, drainage work, vegetation trimming, or other preparation before chip seal can be applied.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if work will affect my street?

Check this page and the City Projects map. Each update should include the project location, status, expected timing, and traffic impacts.

Will I still be able to get to my home or business?

Most access will be maintained, but short delays may occur while crews work directly in front of a driveway, intersection, or narrow street segment. Follow posted signs and directions from flaggers.

Why are some projects about sidewalks, crossings, or bike lanes instead of only paving?

Street projects often combine pavement repair with safety, accessibility, drainage, and mobility improvements. Coordinating this work helps reduce future disruptions and supports the City’s Complete Streets policy.

Why do dates change?

Street work depends on weather, material availability, crew scheduling, equipment, grant requirements, and field conditions. Chip seal, paving, and striping are especially weather-dependent.

Why is Bell Street not being chip sealed this year?

Bell Street neighborhood chip seal work was deferred from 2026 schedule because tree trimming is needed before chip seal work can proceed. The City will reassess this work for a future construction season.

How is this work paid for?

The City combines Transportation Benefit District revenue, grants, local funds, REET, and partnerships such as the Jefferson County chip seal partnership to complete as much priority street work as funding allows.

How do I report a pothole, drainage issue, sign problem, or street hazard?

Use the City’s Report a Concern form for non-emergency issues at Report A Concern . Call 911 for life-safety emergencies or hazards that require immediate emergency response.

Report a problem or ask a question:

For non-emergency street concerns, use the City’s Report a Concern form: Report A Concern

Related resources

• City Projects Maps: City Projects Maps
• Transportation Benefit District annual report can be found here:Transportation Benefits District Annual Report
• Comprehensive Streets Program. More info can be found here: Comprehensive Streets Program
• Engineering and Construction page:  Engineering and Construction
• Right-of-Way Maintenance Requirements: Right of Way Maintenance Requirements
• Trees in the Right-of-Way: Trees in the Right of Way
• Landscaping in the Right-of-Way: Landscaping in the Right of Way