POULSBO — The economy and environment can both expect a boost from one of the first and largest municipal transportation construction projects funded by federal stimulus dollars.
That’s what the city of Poulsbo says, as big names sign up to attend the groundbreaking for its planned North Viking Way construction project.
Along with local leaders and U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D — 1st District), Gov. Christine Gregoire will help celebrate the refurbishment of North Viking Way in Poulsbo.
“We tried to invite (President Barack) Obama,” said Project Assistant Ryan Farncomb, “but he’s busy.”
The project will install a center turn lane, 5-foot-wide bike lanes, sidewalks and landscaped medians. Existing paved road surface will be rehabilitated, making the corridor a more attractive exordium to Little Norway.
The project’s $3.8 million cost is fully funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed into law to revitalize the U.S. economy earlier this year.
It is the largest ARRA-funded project in the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Olympic Region and the fourth largest municipal project in the state. It is also one of only two ARRA-funded transportation projects in Kitsap County.
The project is expected to create 45 construction jobs and 120 permanent jobs for Poulsbo.
It takes place on an artery that has seen its share of downturn: Poulsbo RV, a giant among area recreational vehicle sellers, pulled its flagship roots in late 2008. Several auto dealerships along the road — erstwhile nicknamed Auto Row — have since closed their doors, their buildings now as vacant as the parking lots around them. Places where business was once done have given way to a sea of abandoned asphalt.
The City of Poulsbo’s Engineering Division says the construction project will improve freight mobility, water and sewer infrastructure and non-motorized facilities, attracting and growing business along the now “economically stressed” belt.
A welcome kiosk is planned for the road’s intersection with SR 305, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting to nearby Fish Park. Simultaneous improvements to Finn Hill are expected to alleviate traffic backup there.
Low Impact Development techniques, including bioretention and rain gardens, will help to control and treat storm water runoff, removing pollutants such as oil, gas and harmful bacteria. The new sidewalks will be made of pervious concrete, and asphalt removed during construction will be recycled and reused as paving material. In addition, 17,000 square feet of disturbed wetland buffer will be enhanced with native vegetation, providing improved habitat and wetland protection.
“This is truly a multi-modal transportation project, incorporating sustainable design techniques and minimizing the project’s impact on the environment,” a division memo reads.
City engineer Andrzej Kasiniak said Viking Way was singled out by Poulsbo’s 1994 comprehensive plan as an important transportation thoroughfare. It was first included in the city’s Transportation Improvement Plan in 2004.
Last week, the city awarded the project’s construction contract to Stan Palmer Construction at $2.2 million.
Stan Palmer Construction is the same company hired by the state to complete improvements on State Route 305 from Poulsbo’s south city limit to Bond Road, which were finished late last year.
As for Viking Way, and its crossing with commuter-heavy Finn Hill and Lindvig Way, “It is the busiest intersection in town,” Kasinak said. About 24,000 cars use the intersection each day.
SR 305 sees about 22,000 vehicles per day, in comparison.
The North Viking Way project is scheduled to run for 85 working days, lasting through the end of October. Two lanes will be kept open to traffic 80 percent of the time, Farncomb said, and at least one lane will be kept open at all times. Drivers should expect only minimal delays.
Because the project is funded by ARRA dollars, the city will submit additional reports of workers’ and consultants’ hours to the DOT monthly, Kasiniak said.
GRAY BOX:
Breaking ground
What: North Viking Way construction project groundbreaking celebration
When: 10 a.m., June 22
Where: In the parking lot across from McDonalds on Viking Way. (See map.)
Who: Area leaders, U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee, Gov. Christine Gregoire and interested members of the public.
