To use boxing match parlance, Port Orchard’s downtown businesses may have taken a sharp jab to the jaw by the ongoing SR 166 road closure, but they’re not “out for the count” just yet.
The $9.5 million state Department of Transportation’s culvert replacement project underneath State Routes 16 and 166, and Anderson Hill Road, is necessitating temporary closures of those busy roads during a three-phase effort that won’t be completed until November.
The first phase work, which started last week, has frustrated commuters heading into and out of Port Orchard, and has caused a noticeable drop in business downtown, especially along Bay Street. This major arterial, also known as SR 166, is home to upwards of 20 restaurants, bookended by Swim Deck Gastro Pub on 639 Bay St. on the west and Whisky Gulch Coffee Co. at 2065 Bay St. on the east.
Despite commuter inconvenience, Matt Murphy, executive director of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce, said there are workable detours into downtown. And besides, he said, the closure is temporary.
“That road (SR 166) is only going to be closed for four weeks or so, and then eastbound traffic will be opened so people can come into town as easily as they have before,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the Port Orchard business community is as active as ever.
“Bay Street’s not closed,” he said. “Port Orchard’s not closed, despite what some people may have heard. There are lots of things going on and lots of nightlife to enjoy. It just might take a little patience from time to time this summer to get into town.”
Meanwhile, WDOT-contracted crews from Scarsella Brothers appear to be progressing normally with their culvert-replacement work, according to Michele Britton, WDOT project engineer. “I was out there earlier today (Tuesday) and they’re actively constructing detours we’re going to need to have in place for the second phase,” Britton said. “They’ve ripped up the road and are working on the culvert.”
Work progressing well
She said although crews have several more weeks to go on the first phase, “they’re moving right along. Any time you dig, you’re never quite sure what you’ll find. But we expect the project to move more quickly as they continue on.”
Britton acknowledged that she’s gotten some phone calls from frustrated commuters. “We’re seeing some congestion during peak hours, mostly on the detour route. This closure involves two closed lanes, so when we go to the next closure, it’ll only involve one direction on SR 166.“It’ll get better and better as we go along.”
Following that four- to six-week closure, the second phase involving construction of an 18-foot-wide Sinclair Inlet culvert, will impact only westbound traffic. Work is now being done to allow for SR 16 traffic to move over onto detour lanes where SR 166 now sits. SR 16 traffic will be fully open each way during that phase, Britton said.
The four-to-six-week second-phase work will be followed by a longer, six-week final phase requiring full closure of Anderson Hill Road. That’s where an enlarged culvert also will be installed.
When the culvert improvement project is completed, the larger box culverts will improve fish passage and increase fish habitat by about one mile, WDOT spokeswoman Claudia Bingham Baker said.
