Road closures schedule set for Fir Street construction

By Matthew Nash • April 24, 2019 1:30 am
During construction of the West Fir Street Rehabilitation, drivers along Fir Street can expect North Second Avenue between Alder and Fir streets to close through December 2020. Eastbound driving likely will close between Sequim Avenue and Fifth Avenue for much of the construction, too. Photo courtesy of the City of Sequim
During construction of the West Fir Street Rehabilitation, drivers along Fir Street can expect North Second Avenue between Alder and Fir streets to close through December 2020. Eastbound driving likely will close between Sequim Avenue and Fifth Avenue for much of the construction, too. Photo courtesy of the City of Sequim

City staff have released a tentative construction schedule and its impact on drivers and residents for the West Fir Street Rehabilitation project.

They plan to close a portion of North Second Avenue between Alder Street and Fir Street on Monday, April 29, for Interwest Construction crews to begin staging. Construction on the approximate $6.5 million project to rebuild a half-a-mile stretch of road from Sequim Avenue to Fifth Avenue tentatively begins on Monday, May 13, and finishes by December 2020.

That portion of Second Avenue will remain closed throughout construction.

City staff also set a tentative driving route for those traveling along Fir Street during school hours.

They said drivers can expect temporary roadway closures and lane closures along West Fir Street during the school year with one-way, westbound traffic only.

When summer break begins, city staff said construction crews may close both westbound and eastbound lanes along Fir Street.

However, access to school facilities, the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, businesses and residences will be available year-round.

City staff said drivers also can expect temporary lane and intersection closures at the North Fifth Avenue and North Sequim Avenue intersections of West Fir Street.

They said single-lane closures would occur at those intersections from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. and full intersection closures would occur between 5 p.m.-midnight.

No timeline was given for when these intersections may close.

Along with new piping for water, sewer, stormwater, irrigation and reused water, the project includes freshly paved lanes, bike lanes, new sidewalks on both sides of Fir Street, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, street lighting, landscaping, and street crossing enhancements at the intersections of Sequim Avenue, the school crossing near Second Avenue, and Fifth Avenue. A new traffic signal will be installed at Fifth Avenue and Fir Street, too.

Residents can sign up to receive updates on the West Fir Street Rehabilitation project on the city’s website sequimwa.gov under the “Notify Me” page and register for “Fir Street Construction” under the Alert Center. For more information, contact the City of Sequim Public Works Department at 360-683-4908.