Washington and Walker Sidewalk Project

Improving accessibility between sims and uptown

Project Overview

This project will fill a critical sidewalk gap to improve pedestrian access from Sims Way to the Jefferson County Courthouse, the Courthouse Park, and various sites in Uptown. 

Schedule 

Construction: Fall of 2025 / Winter 2026 

Traffic Impacts 

Once a contractor is selected, they will submit a traffic control plan based on their project approach and schedule.  Detours and partial/full street closures are possible during parts of the project. 

How Did We Select This Project? 

Today, people walking are forced to share the street with vehicles or along uneven terrain as shown by worn down paths.  See more Existing Conditions photos in the attachments. 

The city worked with the Active Transportation Stakeholder Committee and the local Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH) organization to identify and prioritize construction of sidewalks in key locations, including this project, to maximize public benefit and reduce program costs.

Existing Conditions: Two Children Walking on Washington Street

Project Details 

The project will include: 

• Sidewalk  
  • Washington Street – N. side (Port Townsend Inn and Old Consulate B&B) 
  • Walker Street – E. side (Courthouse Park) (Sidewalk is detached and street-level to support a future bike lane).
• Block Retaining Walls 
• Stormwater Swale/Raingarden at SE corner of Walker and Jefferson 

Funding 

A Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Sidewalk Program Grant will partially fund this project.  City staff designed and managed this project in-house to reduce project costs.   

                                   $315,000 Estimated Construction Cost 

                                 - $198,600 Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Sidewalk Program Grant 

                                 = ($116,400 Anticipated City Contribution) – Will update after Bidding 

Project Timeline: 

June 17, 2025 – Open House 

City Staff and other City representatives met at Courthouse Park, the project location, to discuss the project and answer questions. Attendees were primarily residents from the immediate neighborhood and generally supported the project. The City will continue to coordinate with neighbors with direct frontage impacts through design and construction. 

July 17, 2025 – Cultural Resources 

The city selected Willamette Cultural Resources to conduct five “shovel probes.”  This type of investigative, pre-construction work was requested by our Tribal partners and WSDOT coordination.  

The investigation found some old construction rubble, but no “precontact archaeological materials.”  Willamette Cultural Resources will also provide contractor training and limited construction observation during excavation.  

August 15, 2025 – 90% Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PSE) 

The city submitted 90% PSE to the grant provider, TIB. 

October 3, 2025 – 100% Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PSE) 

The city submitted Final PSE to the grant provider, TIB. 

October 13, 2025 – Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation (DAHP)  

The Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) approves Willamette Cultural Resources Report and provided a concurrency letter for the grant. 

October 16, 2025 – Bid Authorization from Grant Provider, TIB  

Needed grant provider approval received 

October 17, 2025 – Bid Authorization from Grant Provider, TIB  

City posted and advertised project for construction bids 

Upcoming Schedule: 

November 4, 2025 – Bid Opening  

Bids will be opened and reviewed. The city will select the lowest responsive bid. 

November X, 2025 – Construction Begins  

Construction will begin.  The project anticipates construction to take up to two months. 

January X, 2026 – Construction Ends 

Anticipated end of construction.

Project contact:
Jeff Kostechka, P.E., Project Manager
jkostechka@cityofpt.us