A section of Old Olympic Highway, streets in Sequim and in Forks could be repaved this summer as one big project if Congress approves enough funding in the 2010 stimulus bill.

"We've said it sounds like there's going be a bill and we know the House version. So we've asked counties to submit a project list to be ready when bill is signed," said Neil Campbell, Olympic Region local programs engineer for the state Department of Transportation.

Seven applications for 2010 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money totaling $1.6 million were submitted by the county, Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks, Lower Elwha Klallam tribe and Jamestown S'Klallam tribe.



County seeks $756K

The county seeks $500,000 to repave one and half miles of Old Olympic Highway from the east side of the Burlingame Bridge over the Dungeness River to about Robbins Road.

It also seeks $256,000 to

pave the Elwha Bridge approach on the Olympic Discovery Trail.

Sequim seeks $100,000 to repave part of River Road.

Forks seeks $100,000 to repave part of Spartan Avenue.

The Jamestown S'Kallam tribe seeks $150,000 to build an Olympic Discovery Trail section between Blyn Road and U.S. Highway 101.

Port Angeles seeks $400,000 to repave part of Ennis Street and add curbing and sidewalks.

The Lower Elwha Klallam tribe seeks $150,000 to build an Olympic Discovery Trail section.



Repaving projects

Rich James, the county's transportation program manager, said the exact length of the paving projects will depend upon the cost of asphalt and the amount of the

grant award.

Since the county is a certified federal contractor, it probably will have to do the Sequim and Forks projects along with Old Olympic Highway, he said.

"They are all repaving projects, so how much more complicated would it be?"



Wait for state

James said the county hasn't heard officially from DOT regarding the funding but was told to submit a project list.

These projects are separate from the $1.1 million two-month Old Olympic Highway repaving project between the Agnew Grocery and North Barr Road, which is funded through Rural Arterial Preservation Program money.

Campbell said the House and Senate versions of the stimulus bill are different, so counties were told to submit backup projects in case the funding changes.

"So we should be in good shape to push those projects out the door," he said.

Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.