The City of Bremerton has begun to work on replacing a 3,000-foot section of its crosstown sewer pipeline. It has a history of failure.  This is an extensive project that will impact several neighborhoods and shut down a major section of road that many drivers rely on.

Having attended a couple of city council meetings, where the issue was publically discussed leading up to the start of the project, I came to realize that several important groups operating in and around the area of impact were either not aware of the project at all or did not realize the full significance of what was coming their way.  I also realized that I had contact or relationships with many of the key leaders in the area and began to work on bringing everyone together.

Naval Avenue Early Learning Center sits in the heart of the impact area.  Because the closure of 11th Street between Montgomery and Naval Avenue will start on June 11 and the last day of school is not until June 22 the typical travel routes and ability of buses and parents to get students to and from Naval Avenue ELC will need to be considered and modified.

Naval Avenue ELC also hosts a very active Boys & Girls Club that runs a popular summer youth program with children coming and going from that location during weekdays. The reopening of 11th Street will not occur until August 3 which means that heavier than usual traffic on Naval Avenue and alternate travel routes for parents will impact those who attend the program.

Several weeks ago, I contacted Katy Allen, Bremerton’s director of Public Works, about my concerns and an outreach idea to bring key leaders of the local groups around the project area together so that everyone could discuss the details of the project along with potential problems and possible solutions. Katy was very willing to assist and has been wonderful to work with.

On Tuesday, May 15, we had the meeting.  In attendance were Wendy Stevens, Naval Avenue PTA President; Jessica Falk, Union Hill Neighborhood Association; Robert Parker, Historic Charleston Business District; Marco DiCicco, Bremerton School District supervisor of transportation; Bremerton Police Capt. Tom Wolfe; councilmember Greg Wheeler and several other city employees.

I want to thank all of these people for giving their time both at the meeting and in the coming weeks as notifications of the projects impact will be crafted and sent out through multiple existing school communication resources, neighborhood meetings, reader boards and fliers.

Project managers and the Bremerton PD are also working to ensure that even with increased traffic flow in areas that do not see or are used to dealing with such higher volumes, school zone and bus stop safety will continue to be a top priority. I would ask that all drivers using any alternate side street routes be respectful and watchful. Slow down.

If you have concerns or questions, information about the project is listed on the City of Bremerton website.

Many of the individuals listed above would also be willing to talk with you or pass along the information or suggestions that they have. Communication is key to a projects success.  The more we all communicate about it, the easier it will be on everyone involved.