by MATTHEW NASH

Sequim Gazette

The City of Sequim recently has taken some actions and made decisions focused on road projects.

New street named

A soon-to-be-completed connecting road between West Grant Street and West Washington Street was approved as South 14th Avenue on Sept. 12.

City staff estimate completion before Halloween for the approximately 600-foot road, dependent on weather.

The road’s name comes from the east/west numbering grid that currently ends at Ninth Avenue. It creates easier access for those west of River Road to access it to travel north and/or travel on Washington Street. Clallam County and resident Steve Smith donated the road space from the west and east sides.

Paul Haines, public works director, said extensions of the avenue are not likely and the road does not have addresses on it.

Pavement Management Study en route

Sequim’s Public Works Department is commissioning a Pavement Management Study this autumn for its 54 miles of public streets and alleys within the city limits.

Contractors photograph, measure and create an evaluation of the city’s pavement conditions. Their report and software model allow city staff to plan projects and budgets for efficient upgrades and maintenance programs for city streets.

The city has 17 miles of private streets within city limits and street owners and homeowners associations interested in having their streets evaluated as part of the study can contact David Garlington, city engineer, by Friday, Oct. 7, at 643-4908.

Cost for private street evaluations is determined during the pavement study bidding process and must be paid by the street owners and/or homeowners association.

South Sequim sees repairs

Lakeside Industries begins work soon to repair portions of South Sequim Avenue from Etta Street to U.S. Highway 101. Lakeside was the lowest and sole bidder, at just over $37,000.

In a few weeks, the crews will repair failing pavement from past work done to sewer and water pipelines. Garlington said the areas are beyond surface repair and need asphalt.

Funds come from the Sewer Replacement Reserve Fund, which pays to repair roadways damaged by utility repair and replacement.

The project is estimated to take a few days with traffic flaggers on duty.

Rhodefer Road paving on hold

City councilors opted to go out to bid again for paving North Rhodefer Road after receiving only one bid, from Lakeside Industries, which was more than $40,000 over budget. The city council approved up to $60,000 for this project.

Garlington said they’d solicit chip-sealing bids for the road this winter or in the spring of 2012 with funds coming out of next year’s budget.

He estimates bids were few because many contractors were catching up with projects already due to the late weather season and weren’t looking for new projects. He said the council anticipates more competitive bids next year.

Contact the City of Sequim, 152 W. Cedar Street, at 683-4139.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.