The City of Port Angeles with Scarsella Bros, Inc. is working to upgrade and expand wastewater conveyance capacity in West Port Angeles. The project, which begins this week on Marine Drive and extends to West 4th Street later this year, will address increasing demands on aging infrastructure and improve flow capacity for the next 50 years.
The Public Works & Utilities Department performs wastewater collection and treatment within City limits and the adjacent urban growth areas (UGAs). The wastewater conveyance upgrades will ensure the City’s sanitary sewer collection system continues to provide reliable service to utility customers in West Port Angeles (approximately 41% of all City utility customers) and increase the size of the system to accommodate planned growth within the western UGA.
Two high-risk segments of the system will be addressed as part of this project: Pump Station #3, located along Marine Drive and the Port Angeles Waterfront; and capacity improvements along West 4th Street.
Pump Station 3 Force Main Replacement Overview (WW0120)
Construction will first focus on the replacement of the Pump Station 3 Force Main, Project WW0120 in the City’s Capital Facilities and Transportation Improvement Plan.
The existing force main, over 50 years old, presents significant risk to the City’s wastewater conveyance system. To improve its capacity and prevent damage requiring significant and expensive repairs, a replacement force main will be installed along the Port Angeles Waterfront (within the Marine Drive Right-of-Way). The new force main, approximately 5,800 feet in length, will extend from the intersection of Hill Street and Marine Drive to the intersection of 3rd Street and Marine Drive. Work is scheduled to begin on June 29th and continue through the summer months.
West 4th Street Capacity Improvement Overview (WW0220)
Later this year, a parallel gravity main, or flow diversion structure, will be installed along West 4th Street (within the 4th Street Right-of-Way). This structure, extending from the intersection of Milwaukee Drive and N Street to the intersection of 4th Street and Evans Avenue, will increase capacity and prevent sanitary sewer overflows in the area.
Construction Components
These improvements are a furtherance of the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Phase 1 & 2 investment. Project work includes the following construction components:
- Installation of a new 20-inch diameter HDPE sanitary sewer force main via slip lining an existing abandoned 48-inch industrial water line and by means of open cut construction.
- Installation of new 18-inch and 21-inch diameter PVC gravity sewer via open cut construction.
- Installation of new 4-inch PVC electrical conduit via open cut construction within existing City right-of-way for a future underground cable replacement project.
- Installation of 9 new sanitary sewer manholes.
- Installation of 3 new combination air/vacuum relief valve vaults.
- Installation of a new flowmeter, pressure sensor, concrete vault, and associated piping; site and pump station electrical improvements; and controls integration.
- Installation of 4 new ADA curb ramps and pavement restoration.
Construction Impacts
Typical project working hours will be Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work may occur outside of these hours on occasion. While we do our best to minimize impacts during construction, some temporary inconveniences may occur as the work takes place. During construction, residents can expect:
- Occasional traffic delays.
- An increase in commute times.
- Temporary sidewalk closures.
- Installation of temporary traffic signs, message boards, and other safety equipment.
In addition, a temporary water service disruption is expected to occur in the West 4th Street area in mid-September. Details will be provided as the project progresses.
Please be careful when driving or walking through or near the construction area. Residents should drive slowly, be on the alert, and follow directions given by Traffic Control personnel and signage.
To view project updates and a tentative work schedule, please visit www.cityofpa.us/cityprojects. For more information, contact City Project Manager Lucio Baack at lbaack@cityofpa.us.
