Port Angeles Washington - The Center Of It All

The 8^th Street Bridges will open on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

Both bridges will open to pedestrians only on the morning of February 24, from approximately 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., a brief opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held just west of the intersection of 8^th & Cherry on the east end of the Valley Creek Bridge. Immediately following the ceremony, vehicle traffic will be escorted by Police and Fire Department vehicles from the 8^th & Cherry intersection across the Valley Creek Bridge, continuing west on 8^th Street, and then across the Tumwater Valley Bridge. Both bridges will then be open to east-bound and west-bound vehicle traffic.

The public is invited to the opening ceremony. Parking is permitted only in marked parking areas and spaces.

Detours & Traffic Control Changes

Motorists are advised to take extra care and caution as detours are eliminated and traffic controls are modified.

Highway 101 & Pine Street Extension: The traffic light will be disabled and the signal will be permanently removed at a later date.

Intersection of 16^th & Pine Streets: This 4-way stop will remain in place for the time being. Traffic volumes will be monitored to determine if this 4-way stop will become permanent, or otherwise modified.

8^th & C Street Intersection. Intersection will be restored to the previous 2-way stop configuration.

Tumwater Street & Marine Drive Traffic Light. Traffic light will be disabled. Traffic volumes will be monitored to determine if traffic signal will be reactivated.

Barricades at the intersections of Marine Drive & Cedar Street and at First & Lincoln Streets will be removed.

NEW Permanent Traffic Signal

A new permanent traffic signal has been installed at the intersection of 8^th & Pine Streets. This signal will go into operation on February 24, 2009.

Remaining Work Rescheduled for Late Spring – Summer

Application of the sealant and restorative work under the bridges is expected to be done between June and September and will require closure of traffic lanes when workers are present. One bridge will remain fully open while traffic will be reduced to one lane – in only one direction – while work is completed on the other bridge. It is anticipated that it will take a total of 10 working days per bridge to complete the work. Work will not be done during the week before Memorial Day, the 4^th of July, the week of the Clallam County Fair and Labor Day.

The $18.4 million 8^th Street Bridges Replacement Project consisted of removing the previous timber bridges and replacing them with 758 foot long reinforced concrete structures. The new bridges are 34 feet wide, curb to curb with 12-foot wide vehicle lanes, 5-foot bike shoulders, and 6.5-foot wide sidewalks on each side. The project also included extensive stormwater systems for stream protection and wetland restoration. Each bridge features two lookout areas with views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

The contractor for the project is Parsons RCI, Inc. of Sumner Washington with project management services provided by Exeltech Consulting, Inc.

The City greatly appreciates the cooperation and patience of the public during the construction of this major project and eagerly joins with the community in the celebration of opening both 8^th Street Bridges.

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