Please accept our apologies for the late arrival of the weekly briefing. The City was experiencing some technical problems on Friday that prevented us from using our email service.

Briefing No. 25
Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project

August 12, 2011

Good afternoon,

With the archaeological work increasingly concentrated within the main discovery site between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, a larger Strider crew was able to make some headway this week within Phase 1 and between Dock and Ireland Streets in Phase 2. Strider and City staff are still working together closely to assemble a project completion schedule. As soon as we have reliable information to report, it will be coming your way.

Also, you may be aware that there have been conflicting reports in the press and elsewhere concerning the ongoing archaeological investigation. As noted below, City staff are aware that additional human remains have been detected within four of the test pits and that the State’s Physical Anthropologist is investigating these remains. We will not discuss details about the character of these remains until we receive confirmation from the State, and as of today we have no further information on these additional discoveries. We encourage anyone with questions about the archaeological work to drop us a note or swing by the Project Office.

Construction Work

□ Strider and their subcontractors completed work on two tasks within Phase 1 – installation of the railing on the south side retaining wall just east of City Beach Street and asphalt patching in driveways and along curb lines. The schedule calls for the irrigation and landscaping contractors to arrive next week to complete irrigation testing and begin planting area preparation.

□ The remainder of the week was dedicated to preparing the sidewalk areas between Dock and City Beach Streets. This work including setting the remaining three Frontier Communications vaults, wiring and pouring the bases for the new street lights and leveling, smoothing and compacting the surface. In addition, thresholds in front of three shops were removed to allow grades to be matched with the new sidewalk. Strider’s 3-week schedule still has the sidewalk subcontractor arriving in town during the week of August 22.

□ Looking ahead to the week of August 22, in addition to sidewalks between Dock and Ireland, we should see progress on irrigation piping and testing, preparation for curb and gutter between Ilwaco and Midway and placement of additional vaults on the Midway Boulevard end of the project. Please note that no construction work will be scheduled for the Ilwaco to Ireland block until the archaeological work is complete.

The Archaeological Work

□ The City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), in cooperation with Tribal representatives, continues to work within the main discovery area. Additional human remains were recovered from within the spoils piles and were exposed within four of the test pits. In accordance with the City archaeological permit, the presence of human remains in the four test pits will trigger additional consultation with State and Tribal representatives to determine the next steps.

□ An archaeological monitor is in place whenever Strider or one of their contractors performs any excavation work. In addition, city and contracting staff have also been trained by NWAA and Tribal officials in the basics of archaeological law and reporting requirements.

Scheduled Gatherings/Events

AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am
Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office
Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week

PIGS ON PIONEER Sunday, August 14 – 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest – Judging at 2:00 pm
In conjunction with the Fidalgo Avenue Pig Roast

Key City Contact People

These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:

Larry Cort
Project Manager
360 914-7107
lcort@oakharbor.org

Joe Stowell
Project Engineer
360 279-4520
jstowell@oakharbor.org

Rhonda Severns
City Utilities
360 914-7256
rhseverns@oakharbor.org

Other Places for Information

Pioneer Way Web Page - http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379

Pioneer Way Project Blog - http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/