tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63215220685919227402024-03-13T17:21:37.315-07:00SE Pioneer Way ImprovementsJoe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-55681780147203314642012-03-01T14:43:00.001-08:002012-03-01T14:43:58.162-08:00Construction Update No. 35<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />March 1, 2012<br /><br />It’s All Over but the Warranty Work<br /><br />Strider Construction effectively completed their work on Pioneer Way this week, with crew and equipment last seen heading out of town on Tuesday afternoon. While Strider is very close to reaching what is called “physical completion” of the project, they will be back to wrap up several tasks. For instance, that portion of the irrigation system that was installed after completion of the archaeology work cannot be tested until the lines are charged once the threat of freezing has passed. Likewise, Strider will have an ongoing responsibility to deal with warranty items, such as replacing dead plants, ensuring that the street lights work or putting a final scrub on façade cleaning, among many other features. A number of you have commented that we have been lucky to have Strider as our contractor – we agree. We have heard often from Strider’s crew that the respect goes both ways – they loved working on Pioneer Way and took pride in doing stellar work and being good citizens. It is fair to expect that we will be seeing them again in the future – without their safety vests and hard hats!<br /><br />Don’t forget that the last of the Tuesday morning coffee hours will occur at 9:00 am on March 6, Angelo’s Caffe.<br /><br />Thank You!<br /><br />Barring something unforeseen, this will be last time you will hear from the project staff in this format. No doubt this fact will be a relief to many, but we hope that the briefings and alerts (all 70 of them!) have been somewhat useful in keeping you on top of the latest news. If you get a minute, please feel free to drop us a quick note to let us know how we might do things better during future projects.<br /><br />It would not be right to sign off without delivering a final “thank you!” to all of you who have lived and breathed construction for the past year. There was certainly no shortage of challenging days and we are grateful for your ongoing patience and tolerance. We wish everyone with a stake in Pioneer Way much success for the future. Finally, while we may have been the people you saw most often on the street, the support that we received from everyone associated with the City has been simply phenomenal. We are honored to work with them and for you every day.<br /><br />All the best and see you on street,<br />Rhonda, Joe and Larry<br /><br /><br />PS. Check out this link to a Before and After Photo Album for Pioneer Way. <a href="http://www.oakharbor.org/uploads/documents/1368pioneerway_beforeafterphotoalbum.pdf">http://www.oakharbor.org/uploads/documents/1368pioneerway_beforeafterphotoalbum.pdf</a><br />(big thanks to Angela Braunstein for assembling the album!)Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-66752881660312833682012-02-22T13:17:00.001-08:002012-02-22T13:19:00.373-08:00Construction Update No. 34<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 22, 2012<br /><br />Final Stretch for Pioneer Way<br /><br />With the wires and poles now a memory, Strider returned today to begin wrapping up the remaining work on Pioneer Way. The list is not long but includes several tasks that could cause some minor traffic delays. In particular, the concrete subcontractor returns tomorrow (Thursday) to patch the holes left following pole removal. Weather permitting, the first concrete truck is scheduled to arrive around 9:00 am and the patching work should be completed in one day. The sawcutter is tentatively scheduled to be here early next week to cut the grid pattern in the newly patched areas. Also tomorrow, the Oak Harbor Garden Club will be planting the new pots that have been placed in the block between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets.<br /><br />Strider will also be working on punchlist items this week and next, which include replacing three broken windows, a broken tile threshold, a damaged screen door, brick cleaning and general façade scrubbing up and down the street. Please note also that we plan to schedule one final window cleaning service after Strider finishes their work.<br /><br />Last Tuesday Morning Coffee Set for March 6 at 9:00 am<br /><br />On March 6, 2012, exactly 365 days since Strider Construction first broke ground on Pioneer Way, project staff, interested merchants and others will gather one last time at Angelo’s Caffe. We are grateful for our “regulars,” our “occasionals” and our “one-timers” and the conversations that have helped shape this project. It is not an overstatement to say that your willingness to express concerns and questions led to several significant design changes, more effective public information and quicker responses to safety issues. While this may be the last regular Tuesday morning coffee, we can safely say that none of us will be strangers to Pioneer Way even after that last Strider truck rolls out of town. Hope to see you there!<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-54002461209816888242012-02-16T15:06:00.001-08:002012-02-16T15:09:52.085-08:00Pole Removal Daily Update No. 4 (and last!)<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 16, 2012<br /><br />Final Pole Removed at 12:45 pm Today<br /><br />As we had hoped, everything came together last night and today to allow PSE/Potelco to haul away the last of the utility poles from the Pioneer Way project area. Removal of the final pole can be seen in the photograph below, as can the new streetscape of Pioneer Way to west with no wires or poles on the horizon. Thanks are due to Comcast, Frontier and PSE for making this happen much more quickly than was anticipated. In an impressive display of early morning choreography, Frontier’s trucks left town this morning around 7:45 am (after having dropped their wire and pulled three poles last night) and by 8:00 am PSE/Potelco was in place to remove the first of its remaining poles. Strider Construction will return to the street next week to patch holes and complete the now relatively short list of remaining tasks.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wprb4VeptWw/Tz2MFMU0ZuI/AAAAAAAAAKA/A4I_s4G-h3Y/s1600/2012FEB16.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709873923411437282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wprb4VeptWw/Tz2MFMU0ZuI/AAAAAAAAAKA/A4I_s4G-h3Y/s400/2012FEB16.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-44320900852667354442012-02-15T16:02:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:04:31.170-08:00<div>Pole Removal Daily Update No. 3<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 15, 2012<br /><br />What Happened Today?<br /><br />Another very productive day on Pioneer Way. Puget Sound Energy (Potelco) returned this morning to complete the process of removing overhead wires and stripping power poles east of Ireland Street. Once the last wire was removed, Potelco re-mobilized to the City Beach Street end of the project and began pulling power poles (see photo below), progressing as far as Ely Street before being called away for another commitment. Meanwhile, Frontier Communications continued the conversion of their overhead network and the company expects to complete that work by the end of today. Tentatively, a Frontier crew will roll into town at 3:00 am tomorrow morning to lower the last of the overhead wires. Finally, Service Electric, the electrical subcontractor to Strider Construction, installed the final two streetlights.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acoKTMADbYk/TzxH3iSyo6I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KvlJc-js-S4/s1600/2012-02-15_1601.png"><img style="WIDTH: 255px; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709517447022945186" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acoKTMADbYk/TzxH3iSyo6I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KvlJc-js-S4/s400/2012-02-15_1601.png" /></a><br /><br />What Should Happen Tomorrow?<br /><br />Assuming Frontier is successful in their overnight effort to remove the phone lines from PSE’s poles, Potelco will return tomorrow to continue pulling poles within the project area. We learned from their work today that pulling poles takes a lot of room (again, see photo). As a consequence, detours will be in place block by block as this work is occurring. The good news is that Potelco is able to work fairly swiftly so a good proportion of the work should be complete by noon. Based on conversations with Potelco earlier today, they have every expectation of being able to complete their work tomorrow assuming Frontier’s wires are gone.<br /><br />And Beyond?<br /><br />We are cautiously optimistic that tomorrow’s daily report will be the last report and very brief – wire and pole removal complete! If that happens, the only remaining work will be to patch the sidewalks and Strider is attempting to schedule its concrete subcontractor for next Tuesday, February 21, weather permitting. In the meantime, Strider will continue to address final work and punchlist items through the end of next week.<br /><br />Key City Contact People</div><br /><br /><div>Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.or">rhseverns@oakharbor.or</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-73882298780077857402012-02-14T16:23:00.001-08:002012-02-14T16:25:37.349-08:00Pole Removal Daily Update No. 2<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 14, 2012<br /><br />What Happened Today?<br /><br />Puget Sound Energy (Potelco) returned this morning to continue taking down overhead wires and stripping power poles west of Dock Street (see photo below). By 11:45, they had completed work as far as the pole across the street from Mike’s Mini Mart, at which time the crew was called away to deal with an emergency power outage elsewhere in their system. With PSE’s lines mostly off the poles, it is now obvious to see that Frontier’s communication lines are still in place east of Dock. Our latest information from Frontier is that they expect to remove the last of their overhead system by Thursday of this week. Finally, Service Electric, the electrical subcontractor to Strider Construction, installed all but the final two remaining streetlights.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3f5nUEq0k1E/Tzr7EdkbsPI/AAAAAAAAAJo/1ZKnyKAB3to/s1600/2012FEB14.png"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709151531721011442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3f5nUEq0k1E/Tzr7EdkbsPI/AAAAAAAAAJo/1ZKnyKAB3to/s400/2012FEB14.png" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">End of Day 2 – Power lines removed east of Dock (remaining line belongs to Frontier)<br /></span><br /></span>What Should Happen Tomorrow?<br /><br />Assuming Potelco returns tomorrow as scheduled, the crews will remove wire and strip poles from the last three pole-to-pole sections between Mike’s Mini Mart and Midway Boulevard. Given the two pole locations between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, it is likely that motorists will experience brief detours starting around 8:00 am tomorrow morning and lasting about 30-60 minutes each. Once past Ilwaco, the final two pole locations should be accessible without causing any traffic delays. Based on conversations with Potelco before they were called away today, the crews should begin pulling poles sometime tomorrow beginning at the City Beach Street end of the project.<br /><br />And Beyond?<br /><br />Depending largely on Frontier’s success in removing their wires between Dock and Midway by Thursday of this week, it is possible that Potelco can complete pole removal by the end of this week. Please note, however, that the poles on the north side of Pioneer between City Beach and Ely Streets actually belong to Frontier and we have not been advised as to when these poles will be removed. As noted yesterday, Strider’s concrete subcontractor will be here next week weather permitting to patch the sidewalks.<br /><br /><u>Key City Contact People<br /></u><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-27951942572313298232012-02-14T07:41:00.000-08:002012-02-14T07:48:26.506-08:00<div><strong>Pole Removal Daily Update No. 1<br /></strong>Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 13, 2012<br /><br />What Happened Today?<br /><br />Puget Sound Energy (Potelco) arrived on Pioneer Way this morning as scheduled. The crew spent the first two plus hours isolating the Pioneer Way power lines from the balance of the power grid. Once the overhead lines were no longer active, Potelco began lowering wires starting at City Beach Street and stripping poles of cross pieces, transformers, street lights and other hardware attached to each pole. By the end of their work day, the crews had completed wire removal to within one pole of Dock Street (see photo below). Potelco was able to work within the parking areas for this stretch of Pioneer Way, so, apart from very brief closures, the street remained open for traffic all day.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAmVjS2bbMw/TzqB_oI1iII/AAAAAAAAAJc/fgIAhAj5fWE/s1600/2012FEB13.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709018407751747714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAmVjS2bbMw/TzqB_oI1iII/AAAAAAAAAJc/fgIAhAj5fWE/s400/2012FEB13.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">End of Day 1 – Wires removed and poles stripped from City Beach Street to Maurice’s<br /><br /></span>What Should Happen Tomorrow?<br /><br />Picking up where they left off today, Potelco will start removing wires around 8:00 am at Dock Street and then move eastward on Pioneer Way toward Midway Boulevard. Because the parking spaces are on the north side of the street between Dock and Midway, Potelco will have to work within the driving lane in order to remove the wires. Traffic controls will be in place to route vehicles around Potelco’s trucks using the parking areas. The field supervisor indicates that he expects his crew to be able to wrap up work between Dock and Ireland Streets by around 11:00 am which means that this very busy two-block stretch can be re-opened for parking by late morning.<br /><br />And Beyond?<br /><br />Depending on tomorrow’s progress, Potelco may be ready to begin removing poles between City Beach and Dock Streets as early as Wednesday. As of today, Frontier Communication’s wires are still on the poles between Dock Street and Midway Boulevard although they expect to complete their work later this week. Assuming Frontier is successful in stripping the poles of their wires, Potelco can then begin removing poles east of Dock later this week. Our latest information indicates that Strider’s concrete subcontractor will be here early next week to patch the sidewalks.<br /><br /><u>Key City Contact People<br /></u>Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div></div>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-80820763191074552032012-02-09T12:56:00.000-08:002012-02-09T12:59:33.427-08:00Construction Update No. 33<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />February 9, 2012<br /><br />Busy Two Weeks Ahead Starting Next Week – Parking, Access to be Affected<br /><br />Anyone observing activities on Pioneer Way this past two weeks could hardly have failed to notice large numbers of Frontier Communication and Comcast (SEFNCO) trucks and vans up and down the street. As noted in the last Construction Update, the City asked both companies to do everything they could to remove all their overhead wires by next Monday, February 13, 2012 when Puget Sound Energy (Potelco) crews will arrive in town to begin removing the overhead power lines. While we are not certain as of today that Frontier and Comcast will be able to complete their work by Monday, they should at least be very close. PSE’s efforts should take approximately two weeks to complete and Strider and their concrete subcontractor will be here to repair the sidewalks once the poles have been removed.<br /><br />**PLEASE NOTE: In the event that either Frontier or Comcast wires are still on PSE’s poles when they are ready to be pulled, PSE is prepared to cut the top off of each pole and then return to remove them once Frontier and/or Comcast have taken down their wires. This is a worst-case scenario which we will be doing everything we can to avoid.**<br /><br />All in all, it promises to be a very active next two weeks on Pioneer. Unfortunately, we are certain that PSE’s work to remove the wires and poles will cause some parking disruption and traffic delays on Pioneer Way. While the pole removal work concentrates on one pole at a time with traffic controls in place, bringing down the wires is more problematic. We have been told that Potelco typically uses three trucks when removing each pole-to-pole section of wire – one on each end to cut the wires and one in the middle to gather up the wire as it comes down – which means that parking and/or access will be restricted during this process.<br /><br />The first “No Parking” restriction will be signposted tomorrow for Monday, February 13 between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm between City Beach and Dock Streets. We have asked PSE to minimize disruption as much as possible by removing travel and parking restrictions as soon as they complete each pole-to-pole section. Potelco reports that the wire removal portion of the project should be complete in about two to three days.<br /><br />In addition to the work bringing down the wires and poles, Strider Construction will also be very active completing the final pieces of the project. Their work will include final landscaping and irrigation, erecting the remaining streetlights, grouting manholes, concrete patching where poles were removed and general clean-up and punchlist items throughout the site. Some of these activities will result in short-term detours.<br /><br />As you probably have gathered by now, the next two to three weeks amount to a final push to complete the Pioneer Way project and we offer our sincere regrets for any and all inconvenience to business owners, customers and other users of the street. We will issue daily updates starting Monday with information on how parking and access will be affected the following day. As always, City project staff are at your disposal at the numbers listed below if you have questions or need assistance.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-4623878912857317522012-01-03T14:04:00.000-08:002012-01-03T14:07:00.083-08:00Construction Update No. 31<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />January 3, 2012<br /><br />Back to Work for Strider Construction<br /><br />With the onset of a new year, Strider Construction is back at work today concentrating on punchlist items and putting the finishing touches on the Ireland to Ilwaco block. Here is a snapshot of what you will see them working on over the next two or three weeks.<br /><br />● Sawcutting the decorative grid in the new sidewalk between Ireland and Ilwaco will start tomorrow. As we know from earlier in the project, this work is rather messy and noisy but should be completed in about two days. The same subcontractor will be boring holes for street signs, the railing extension across from Mike’s Mini Mart and the last of the Lions Club flag holders.<br /><br />● Repair of windows, thresholds, fascia and other items damaged during construction will be coordinated with property and business owners over the next couple of weeks. General storefront clean-up along the entire length of the project will occur toward the conclusion of Strider’s efforts.<br /><br />● Work should begin later this week and continue into next week to install tree guards and power connections in locations where trees are planted outside of planting beds. In addition, a number of the large, ceramic planter pots will be placed within the Ireland to Ilwaco block.<br /><br />● As part of the re-designed parking area in front of Mike’s Mini Mart, the contractor will install black bollards (36-inch high metal posts) to safely separate the sidewalk from the parking spaces. Across the street from this location, the safety railing will be extended to connect with the wooden railing at the entrance steps to Mi Pueblo.<br /><br />Please feel free to drop us a note or give us a call if you have questions or concerns as Strider moves toward completing the Pioneer Way project. And please note as well that City staff will continue to be available to hear concerns and provide piping hot project news at 9:00 am every Tuesday morning at Angelo’s Caffe.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360-914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360-279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360-914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-743596666521788942011-12-21T07:39:00.000-08:002011-12-21T07:40:40.196-08:00Construction Briefing No. 30<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />December 20, 2011<br /><br />Sidewalks, Paving Now Complete!<br /><br />Just after 10:00 am this morning, the last section of new sidewalk paving was finished. Effectively, this milestone brings to a close the installation of hard surfaces on Pioneer Way and literally “paves” the way toward final completion. Obviously, some work remains to dress up the Ireland to Ilwaco block consistent with the rest of the street (railing, landscaping, benches, sidewalk grid, planter pots, etc.). Strider will also be busy starting January 3 checking off the remaining punchlist items. Plus, everyone seems to be looking forward to the day when the private utility conversions are complete and the wires and poles can be removed, very likely within the first three months of 2012. Bringing the wires down will also allow the contractor to install the rest of the streetlights. Bottom line, a significant threshold crossed in completing the paving and sidewalks, but some work still to accomplish early next year.<br /><br />Please note that starting this Thursday, December 22, and continuing until Tuesday, January 3, neither Strider nor any of their subcontractors will be working. However, you may see one or more of the utility companies (PSE, Frontier, Comcast) or private electrical contractors working on the underground conversion work during this period.<br /><br />A Big Thank You from your Project Staff<br /><br />A number of you with businesses and/or properties on and around Pioneer Way have been kind enough to express your appreciation for our day to day efforts to keep the project moving and find ways to make a tough situation just a little bit more tolerable. Rhonda, Joe and I (along with all City staff who had a hand in supporting the project) thank you for that support but, truly, it is all of you who deserve our thanks. You welcomed us to downtown, your neighborhood, and we hope that we have paid back that welcome to the best of our abilities. Our work with you continues into 2012 and we look forward to wrapping things up in style. For the moment, seasonal warm wishes to one and all and see you soon on Pioneer!<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-50479338181243357912011-12-13T16:01:00.000-08:002011-12-13T16:03:11.038-08:00Construction Alert No. 29<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />December 13, 2011<br /><br />Revised Archaeological Excavation Permit Expected Tomorrow Morning<br /><br />Based on conversations with the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, it appears highly probable that the City will receive its permit revision tomorrow morning. The revisions will specifically authorize paving the parking spaces in front of Mike’s Mini Mart and hand excavating about 1-3 inches in a 50-foot stretch of the southern sidewalk near the Pioneer entry steps to Mi Pueblo. The archaeology crew will return tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. The screening fence will be in place during excavation but the work is projected to be completed in one day. With the exception of ongoing construction monitoring, this effort will effectively complete the archaeological excavation work on Pioneer Way.<br /><br />Sidewalks Coming<br /><br />Depending on weather and likely starting tomorrow (Wednesday), S & S Concrete will return to being pouring the sidewalks in the unfinished section, including those parking spaces in front of Mike’s Mini Mart. According to the contractor’s schedule, sidewalk installation will take about 4 to 5 working days to complete so we are hopeful of several dry days between now and the Christmas holiday.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-36531477727818898032011-12-09T07:32:00.000-08:002011-12-09T07:34:23.950-08:00Construction Alert No. 27<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />December 8, 2011<br /><br />Paving Tomorrow Between Ireland and Ilwaco<br /><br />With the aid of some beneficial December weather, Strider is slightly ahead of schedule in their efforts to complete the unfinished stretch of Pioneer Way. As a result, Lakeside Industries will arrive on the street tomorrow (Friday) morning to pave the Ireland and Ilwaco intersections and the remaining piece of Pioneer Way. Their plan is to complete the paving to full depth in one day, meaning that the street should be fully in place and accessible by the end of the day.<br /><br />Unfortunately, we do not expect to receive our archaeological permit revision for the raised northern parking area between Ilwaco and Ireland (in front of Mike’s Mini Mart) until Wednesday of next week, so those spaces will not be paved tomorrow with the rest of the street. However, these spaces will be paved with concrete either late next week or early the following week when the concrete subcontractors return to pour the new sidewalks. Weather permitting, all asphalt and concrete work should be complete before the Christmas holiday weekend.<br /><br />Brief Detour Tomorrow Morning<br /><br />Also, the presence of the paving crew in town means that the striping subcontractor will also be here. To take advantage of their presence, we have asked them to repair the turn arrow on Pioneer just west of Dock Street (in front of Glamorous). A brief detour will be necessary but we have asked the subcontractor to re-open the street no later than 11:00 am. We apologize for any inconvenience.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-76883846584398890042011-11-30T11:10:00.000-08:002011-11-30T11:14:24.412-08:00Construction Alert No. 27<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />November 30, 2011<br /><br />Construction Resumes on Pioneer Way<br /><br />While their completion schedule is unpredictable due to the weather, it was encouraging to welcome Strider Construction back into town yesterday morning. With the forecast this week looking quite promising, we are hopeful that good progress can be made on the unfinished section between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. Regrettably, there will be periodic street closures east of Hathaway but the street will always be open late afternoons and evenings, and of course on weekends. Strider is aware of the tree lighting and other festivities on Saturday and will work to make the site as safe and neat as possible.<br /><br />Here is what we know at the moment about the sequence of work:<br /><br />● Starting yesterday and continuing for the remainder of the week, the Strider crew will be bringing the road and curb areas to the grade needed to finish building the street. Some work will also be occurring in the sidewalk and planter areas to remove excess dirt and raise utility vaults to the required height.<br /><br />● Weather permitting, curbs and gutters will be formed and poured next week. Unlike the earlier phases of the project, paving will happen before sidewalks and as soon as possible after the curbs and gutters are in place. <br /><br />● Once the new asphalt is in place, Strider will complete preparation of the sidewalk areas before bringing the concrete subcontractor back to pour the sidewalks. Successful concrete work is highly dependent on favorable weather conditions so predicting the timing for this part of the job is the most problematic.<br /><br />● Completion of the last section of handrail, adding topsoil and landscaping in the pots and planters and placing street amenities (benches, garbage cans, bike racks, street lights, etc.) will be scheduled once the sidewalks are installed. <br /><br />Remaining Archaeological Work<br /><br />While the vast majority of the Pioneer Way archaeological work has been completed, there are two tasks remaining besides the ongoing monitoring during construction. These tasks are described below:<br /><br />● A relatively small triangle of hand excavation work is necessary directly in front of the Oak Harbor Tavern to complete the curve into the Ilwaco alley. This area could not be excavated inside the original fenced enclosure for the simple reason that it was underneath or just outside the fence. This work should be completed by Friday of this week. <br /><br />● The top 4 inches of soil from a short section of the southern sidewalk area must be excavated by hand due to the proximity of known cultural resources. <br /><br />Key City Contact People<br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br />lcort@oakharbor.org<br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br />jstowell@oakharbor.org<br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br />rhseverns@oakharbor.orgJoe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-12400903984844646432011-11-21T12:59:00.000-08:002011-11-21T13:00:39.841-08:00Project Alert No. 26<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />November 21, 2011<br /><br />Archaeologists Return Tomorrow for One Day of Testing<br /><br />Tomorrow (Tuesday), a small team of archaeologists from Northwest Archaeological Associates will be back on Pioneer Way for additional testing on the north half of the street between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. The purpose of the testing is to determine whether or not additional cultural materials might be present in the top 0-6 inches of soil where the sidewalks will be installed. Some soil needs to be removed in order to pour the sidewalks. Most of the testing will be concentrated near the Ireland and Ilwaco intersections and should take no more than one day to complete. There will be a short lane closure of about one hour at the Ireland Street intersection starting around 8:00 am.<br /><br />Should additional human remains or other cultural materials be uncovered during the testing, it is likely that those specific areas will have to be hand excavated and screened by the archaeologists. We should know very soon how much, if any, hand excavation will be needed.<br /><br />As a reminder, Strider Construction is scheduled to return to work on Pioneer Way during the week following the Thanksgiving holiday.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-90276674642649467542011-11-09T07:28:00.000-08:002011-11-09T07:35:55.543-08:00<div>Construction Alert No. 25<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />November 8, 2011<br /><br />Fencing Removed Between Ilwaco and Ireland Streets<br /><br />Based on the number of smiles on the street this afternoon, it is safe to say that there is plenty of relief along Pioneer Way that the barrier fencing around the archaeological site has finally come down. City Public Works crews completed construction this morning on the temporary driving surface along the southern half of the street and, as can be seen in the photograph below, it has been opened to traffic. A big thanks to the crew for making short work of the transition from archaeological dig to functional street!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYRgCwiqg-k/TrqdSMq_85I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/S1rSd2jGEn0/s1600/2011NOV08_FenchDown.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673019616591344530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYRgCwiqg-k/TrqdSMq_85I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/S1rSd2jGEn0/s320/2011NOV08_FenchDown.jpg" /></a><br /><br />As noted last week, a design change for the northern half is nearing readiness that will eliminate the need for any additional excavation in the parking area on the north side. While some testing will still be required in sidewalk areas, in the transitions at the bottom of Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, and in other locations where conduit is still needed, there should be no need to re-install fencing on the north side. Strider Construction is still scheduled to return to complete the street following the Thanksgiving holiday.<br /><br />Key City Contact People</div><br /><br /><div><br />These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a></div><br /><br /><div></div>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-3881964140531540462011-11-04T14:32:00.000-07:002011-11-04T14:34:42.697-07:00Construction Alert No. 24<br /><br />November 4, 2011<br /><br />Pioneer Way Archaeological Work Winds Down<br /><br />Today (Friday), Northwest Archaeological Associates will wrap up work within the main excavation and recovery area between Ilwaco and Ireland Streets that has been fenced and screened since late June. In bringing what will be the new street down to the required grade, the archaeologists have recovered all exposed cultural materials and removed them for temporary storage in preparation for re-burial at a later date.<br /><br />On Monday morning, the City crew will move into the site and lay geotextile fabric over the excavated area, followed immediately by gravel spread over the fabric to form the base of the new street. The gravel will then be compacted and leveled for use by vehicles (it will not be paved until later). Once the southern lane is ready for travel (likely late that same day or Tuesday), the fencing will be removed and the traffic re-routed from the north lane to the south lane.<br /><br />Looking ahead, the original plan called for moving the archaeological crews to the northern half of the street once the southern half could be used for traffic. City staff have been working on a possible design change for the northern half that would, if successful, eliminate the need for any additional excavation in the parking area planned for the north side. If we are successful with this change, the remaining archaeological work would be limited to shallow testing in sidewalk areas and other locations where conduit is still needed, relatively minor excavation in transitional areas at the foot of Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, and monitoring during trenching.<br /><br />Strider Construction will return to finish building the street following completion of the final archaeological testing and excavation – tentatively right after Thanksgiving. Obviously, weather has become the biggest factor in determining the pace of final completion.<br /><br />As always, please give us a shout if you have questions.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-90854988988779472792011-10-21T13:29:00.000-07:002011-10-21T13:30:44.425-07:00October 21, 2011<br /><br />Good afternoon,<br /><br />This week’s briefing will be a little different from previous editions. With work winding down within about 85% of the project boundaries but still very active between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets, it seems useful to step back a bit and provide a more comprehensive overview of the remaining tasks. While the 85% has been deemed “substantially” complete in accordance with the City’s contract with Strider Construction, work is still underway to reach “physical” completion. Of course, completion of the archaeology block will not begin until it has been cleared for construction.<br /><br />Here is what we know at the moment about how the project will reach full completion:<br /><br />The Punchlist<br /><br />□ A small crew from Strider Construction will be on the street Monday through Wednesday of next week working on the project “punchlist.” This list was created to document the remaining work tasks, from small to large, including those on private property where some damage has occurred as a result of the construction (chipped windows, broken tiles, uneven thresholds, etc.).<br /><br />□ Of the remaining punchlist items, only a small number will likely be disruptive to pedestrian and/or vehicular travel. Of particular note is the ongoing work to re-line the old manholes and the upcoming work to sandblast (for texture) the concrete panels that provide a transition between the large and small sidewalk grid patterns.<br /><br />□ There are several items on the punchlist that will be completed when the contractor and subcontractors return to town to complete the archaeological area.<br /><br />□ The street, sidewalks, parking and other improvements in the unfinished area between Ireland and Ilwaco will be completed at the conclusion of the archaeology work. Subject to the availability of subcontractors and, of course, our fall and winter weather, Strider anticipates that the time needed to finish off this final section could be 4 to 6 weeks.<br /><br />The Archaeology<br /><br />□ The crew from Northwest Archaeological Associates is on track to complete excavation work within the southern half of Pioneer Way by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week.<br /><br />□ When the southern half has been completed, the temporary fencing will be moved to the northern half of the street to enclose the future parking area in front of Mike’s Mini Mart (we anticipate that neither Ireland nor Ilwaco will be blocked by the fencing). Concurrent with moving the fencing, the southern half of the street will be prepped for traffic and will become the new temporary driving lane.<br /><br />□ Once the enclosure is in place on the northern half, Northwest Archaeological Associates will begin excavation to recover any human remains or other cultural materials in this area. While we obviously can’t be certain until the work is underway, the expectation is that finding significant new discoveries on the north side is fairly remote given the degree of recent disturbance from utility work and the relatively shallow excavation needed to build the street.<br /><br />□ Looking ahead, recovery work within the piles of soil removed from Pioneer Way and deposited at a local gravel pit must still be scheduled and completed.<br /><br />The Underground Power Conversions<br /><br />□ The entire project area has now been energized by Puget Sound Energy (Potelco) and is available for connection by those customers who must convert their overhead lines to a new underground service. By State law, these conversions must be completed within 90 days from when the underground power is available. The last group of customers has been notified that they have until January 18, 2012 to complete their conversion work.<br /><br />□ Once all the customer conversions have been completed (likely at some point early in 2012), PSE, Frontier and Comcast can remove their overhead wires from the poles and soon thereafter the poles themselves can be pulled. Lastly, the sidewalk will be repaired where the poles were removed and the rest of the street lights can be installed.<br /><br />The Project Office<br /><br />□ The “For Lease” sign is up at 720 SE Pioneer Way, Suite 1. The City has given notice that it will be pulling up stakes at the Pioneer Construction Office by November 10, 2011.<br /><br />□ Project staff will mostly be out by November 4 although we will still be working actively on the street until the project is finished. Please note that one or more of us will continue to be available on Tuesday mornings beginning November 8 between 9:00 am and 10:00 am, most likely at Angelo’s Caffe.<br /><br />Scheduled Gatherings/Events<br /><br />AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am<br />Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office (only two more chances!)<br />Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-84208184412547178642011-10-20T07:52:00.000-07:002011-10-20T07:54:32.835-07:00October 19, 2011<br /><br />Homecoming Parade Tomorrow (Thursday 10/20) at 5:30<br /><br />For those who may not have heard, the annual excitement of homecoming (with the Wildcats at 7-0 this season, the level of excitement might just be higher than normal!) will arrive tomorrow (Thursday) on Pioneer Way. Between 5:30 and 6:30 pm, there will be a homecoming parade from City Beach Street to Midway Boulevard. Parking will be restricted starting at 5:00 pm and the street will be reopened as soon as possible after the parade passes through key intersections. Strider Construction and staff will do everything we can to have the street looking sharp for the event.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-42348703693208838122011-10-07T15:49:00.000-07:002011-10-07T15:52:05.745-07:00Briefing No. 33<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />October 7, 2011<br /><br />Good afternoon,<br /><br />Yesterday (Thursday), the project reached the stage of “substantial completion” in all areas except the block directly affected by the ongoing archaeological work. As noted before, there is still work to be accomplished before the project is physically complete (including bringing down the power lines and poles, completing punch list tasks and repairs, and actually building the street between Ireland and Ilwaco), but substantial completion is a major milestone. To mark the progress so far, the downtown merchants are busy planning “Pioneer Way Celebrates” on October 15. A day full of activities includes a fun run on the new street, food, music, poker walk, ribbon cutting, chalk art (weather permitting), Native American youth dancers and “a sweet taste of Pioneer Way.” Watch for ads in local newspapers for details.<br /><br />For approximately the next three weeks, most of the construction activity on the street will be concentrated on completing items from the punch list. While most of these tasks are relatively minor, several work items will likely cause some disturbance and/or traffic impacts. One of the largest, replacing the two flawed sidewalk panels in front of the Pioneer Way project office and Casual House, will likely occur on Monday of next week. Also on tap for next week is the pouring of the replacement sidewalk on the upper east side of Dock Street.<br /><br />Construction Work<br /><br />□ The landscaping subcontractor completed topsoil application and irrigation in the remaining planter islands and the last trees and plants were put into the fresh topsoil. Work began today on applying the top layer of mulch to the planter islands. Next week, the Oak Harbor Garden Club, City Parks staff and volunteers will join together to plant the new ceramic pots.<br /><br />□ Iron was raised last week, meaning that all the manholes and valve casings were brought up to be flush with the new paving. The patches are only temporary and will be replaced when the paving crew returns to complete work on the archaeology block.<br /><br />□ Puget Sound Energy and Frontier Communications are both working on the street pulling wire through the new underground power and communications network. Phase 2 (east of Dock) was energized by mid-week.<br /><br />□ Strider Construction continued to work on installing the “amenities,” including handrails, landscaping, streetlights, planters, benches, bike racks, tree grates, permanent signs and streetside restoration.<br /><br />The Archaeological Work<br /><br />□ City officials and the City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), welcomed the arrival of a revised excavation permit on Monday, October 3. NWAA began work on Tuesday inside the archaeological enclosure to remove the top 10” or so of dirt to allow the street to be completed. This material will be screened for human remains and other cultural materials with any new discoveries set aside for reburial. This work is expected to take about four weeks to complete.<br /><br />□ Archaeological monitoring is continuing whenever Strider or one of their subcontractors performs any excavation work.<br /><br />Scheduled Gatherings/Events<br /><br />AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am<br />Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office<br />Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week<br /><br />SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Pioneer Way Celebrates!<br />Lots of Merchant-Sponsored Activities on the new street and sidewalks<br />Fun Run, Food, Music, Poker Walk Chalk Art (weather permitting), Sidewalk Sale and Much More<br />Ribbon Cutting at Dock and Pioneer, 12-2<br /><br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-19962275264066131322011-10-04T14:21:00.000-07:002011-10-04T14:23:32.558-07:00Construction Alert No. 21<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />October 4, 2011<br /><br />“Raising Iron” Raises Some Questions<br /><br />At this morning’s regular Tuesday AM coffee, we were asked about why the contractor was jackhammering holes into the freshly completed paving. Great question and certainly worthy of a quick construction alert. It is standard practice in street construction to bring the water valve casings and manholes up to street level after the final asphalt has been applied. This process, termed “raising iron” in construction-speak, involves removing the asphalt above these structures using a jackhammer, installing risers to bring them up to street level and then patching the area around the hole.<br /><br />A natural follow-up question is why can’t these structures be brought up to finished street level prior to paving? Put simply, it is to protect both the underground utilities and the paving equipment from potential damage should the paver catch on the edge of the structure. Not only would it damage the equipment, but it would likely pull the structure out of alignment or, worse, break the structure itself and/or the underground pipes that connect to it.<br /><br />The raising iron work is scheduled to be completed by Thursday of this week.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-6949138432445147962011-09-30T07:33:00.000-07:002011-09-30T07:38:00.315-07:00Briefing No. 32<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 29, 2011<br /><br />Good evening,<br /><br />Based on conversations with a number of downtown merchants, we know that the City staff, City officials and contractors are not the only people keeping a close eye on the weather forecast these days. With final paving and striping scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week, everyone we talked with seemed to be hoping that we might get lucky and string together two dry days in late September. That hope did not go unrewarded. While these paving days clearly caused some significant disruptions, the work was completed under sunny skies and it is terrific to have most of the major street work behind us. Many thanks to everyone for your patience during final paving.<br /><br />The project, minus the block between Ireland and Ilwaco, is now less than a week from “substantial completion” as defined in our contract with Strider Construction. Work beyond this date, including final landscaping, bringing down the power lines and poles, punchlist corrections (including fixing damage to private property) and completing the archaeology block will obviously continue until everything is complete. The downtown merchants are busy planning “Pioneer Way Celebrates” on October 15. Activities include a fun run on the new street, food, music, poker walk, ribbon cutting, balloons, chalk art (weather permitting) and “a sweet taste of Pioneer Way.” Watch for ads in local newspapers for details.<br /><br />Construction Work<br /><br />□ The landscaping subcontractor completed topsoil application and irrigation testing most planter islands and is set to begin putting in the new plants. The first trees should arrive in their new locations beginning tomorrow and likely continuing on Saturday.<br /><br />□ Final paving and striping for the entire project minus the archaeological block was completed on Wednesday and Thursday.<br /><br />□ Puget Sound Energy, Frontier Communications and Comcast are all working on the street pulling wire and installing equipment in the new underground power and communications network.<br /><br />□ Strider Construction continued to work on installing the “amenities,” including handrails, landscaping, streetlights, planters, benches, bike racks, tree grates, permanent signs and streetside restoration.<br /><br />The Archaeological Work<br /><br />□ City officials and the City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), are expecting the State to issue a revised excavation permit on Monday, October 3. With that expectation, NWAA is planning to begin work on Tuesday inside the archaeological enclosure to remove the top 10” or so of dirt to allow the street to be completed. This material will be screened for human remains and other cultural materials with any new discoveries set aside for reburial.<br /><br />□ Archaeological monitoring is continuing whenever Strider or one of their subcontractors performs any excavation work.<br /><br />Scheduled Gatherings/Events<br /><br />AM TUESDAY COFFEES<br />Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am<br />Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office<br />Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week<br /><br />SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15<br />Pioneer Way Celebrates!<br />Lots of Merchant-Sponsored Activities on the new street and sidewalks<br />Fun Run, Food, Music, Poker Walk, Chalk Art (weather permitting), Sidewalk Sale and Much More<br />Ribbon Cutting at Dock and Pioneer, 12-2<br /><br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-21448651571760961362011-09-27T13:26:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:34:21.743-07:00Construction Alert No. 20<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 27, 2011<br /><br />Final Paving Tomorrow and Thursday - Details<br /><br />Assuming the weather forecast for tomorrow is reasonably accurate (dry and warming), the paving crew will arrive tomorrow morning to lay down the final layer of asphalt from end to end with the obvious exception of the block between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. The work is scheduled from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm both Wednesday and Thursday. This Alert contains the most current information we have on how this work will progress.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff9900;">* PLEASE NOTE *<br />For those merchants with breakables on shelves, we would ask that you please pay special attention to securing them as the vibration of the steamroller can work these items off a shelf pretty quickly. Thanks!<br /></span><br /><br />WEDNESDAY<br /><br />1. Pioneer Way will be closed to traffic and parking beginning at 7:00 am between Ireland and Ely Streets.<br /><br />2. The paving crew will start with the side streets at Hathaway and Dock Streets.<br /><br />3. Next up will be the parking areas between Ireland and Dock Streets. The striping subcontractor will apply the parking space lines while the asphalt is still warm.<br /><br />4. The pavers will then move back to Ireland Street and lay the driving lane as far as the western side of Dock Street. Once again, the striping crew will apply stop bars and crosswalks on the warm asphalt.<br /><br />5. Once past Dock Street, the crew will first pave the parking areas as far as Ely Street, and then pull back to Dock to pave the driving lane to just west of Ely. Striping follows as before.<br /><br />6. Pioneer Way between City Beach and Ely Street will be closed when the crew reaches Ely, probably sometime during early to mid-afternoon.<br /><br />7. The pavers will finish the day using the same parking areas first and driving lane second sequence as before. They estimate that paving will conclude for the day just short of the City Beach Street intersection.<br /><br />8. Segments of Pioneer Way will be re-opened for traffic once the inspector has determined that the asphalt and striping have cured sufficiently to support heavier vehicles.<br /><br />THURSDAY<br /><br />1. Again starting at 7:00 am with a detour at City Beach Street, the crews will pave and stripe the intersection first thing in the morning.<br /><br />2. Once the intersection is complete, the paving contractor will re-mobilize to the east end of the project between Ilwaco and Midway. This section of the street will be closed at that time which the contractor estimates will be around 10:30 or 11:00 am.<br /><br />3. The first paving will occur within the parking spaces next to Whidbey Coffee, move to the side street at Jensen Street, then to the parking spaces just east of the archaeological enclosure and in front of My Fathers House Thrift Store.<br /><br />4. The crew will then pave the driving surface between the archaeological enclosure and Midway Boulevard.<br /><br />5. As needed, asphalt patches will be placed in those private parking lots which were disturbed during construction.<br /><br />6. In common with the Wednesday paving, this east section of Pioneer Way will be re-opened for traffic once the inspector has determined that the asphalt and striping have cured sufficiently to support heavier vehicles.<br /><br />City staff and Strider’s flaggers will be out in force to assist with getting customers where they need to go and to help facilitate deliveries to shops up and down the street. If you are a merchant and need help tomorrow or Thursday, please do let one of us know so we can provide assistance.<br /><br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-33744417170107949362011-09-23T14:54:00.000-07:002011-09-23T15:00:33.575-07:00Briefing No. 31<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 23, 2011<br /><br />Good afternoon,<br /><br />The base layer of paving was completed last Monday night and into Tuesday morning over all remaining gravel surfaces except those in the immediate vicinity of the archaeological work. The final finishing layer from City Beach Street to Midway Boulevard is scheduled during daylight hours next week for Wednesday and Thursday, September 28 and 29, weather permitting. As noted in yesterday’s Construction Alert, these two days are likely to be amongst the most disruptive to vehicle traffic since the project began, not only due to the paving but also to the need to apply the striping and other pavement markings while the asphalt is still warm. Flaggers will be in place and drivers should expect detours.<br /><br />Also, please be aware that the contractor intends to work Saturdays at least until the substantial completion deadline of October 6. Tomorrow’s work will concentrate on installing the street furniture, landscaping and irrigation.<br /><br /><strong>Construction Work<br /><br /></strong>□ The landscaping subcontractor completed topsoil application within several more planter islands and is set to begin putting in the new plants.<br /><br />□ The Filterra stormwater vaults were activated on Wednesday, complete with the bamboo plants that will assist with removing impurities from street runoff. Obviously, drainage cannot get to the vaults until the final asphalt is in place next week.<br /><br />□ Puget Sound Energy and Frontier Communications are both working on the street pulling wire through the new underground power and communications network. Signal “loops,” the in-street wires that trigger traffic light control at the Midway and City Beach intersections, were installed last week.<br /><br />□ Strider Construction continued to work on installing the “amenities,” including handrails, landscaping, streetlights, planters, benches, bike racks, tree grates, permanent signs and streetside restoration.<br /><br />□ Final paving over the full length of the project should occur next Wednesday and Thursday, depending on weather. This work will include patching of private parking lots disturbed during construction.<br /><br /><strong>The Archaeological Work<br /><br /></strong>□ City officials and the City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), met with State and Tribal officials on September 15 to determine how to handle the additional human remains that were discovered within several of the test pits. The City expects to receive the revised excavation permit next week and the archaeologists will return to begin removing the top 10” or so to allow the street to be completed.<br /><br />□ Archaeological monitoring is continuing whenever Strider or one of their subcontractors performs any excavation work.<br /><br /><strong>Scheduled Gatherings/Events</strong><br /><br />AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am<br />Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office<br />Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week<br /><br />SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Pioneer Way Celebrates!<br />Lots of Merchant-Sponsored Activities on the new street and sidewalks<br />Fun Run, Food, Music, Chalk Art (weather permitting), Sidewalk Sale and Much More<br />Ribbon Cutting at Dock and Pioneer<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914 7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br /><br />Other Places for Information<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pioneer Way Web Page - </span><a href="http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pioneer Way Project Blog - </span><a href="http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/</span></a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-43704377975695835872011-09-23T07:28:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:31:45.652-07:00Construction Alert No. 19<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 22, 2011<br /><br />Final Paving Next Week – Prepare for Detours<br /><br />Weather permitting, the paving crew will return to town next Wednesday and Thursday (September 28 and 29) to lay down the final layer of asphalt from end to end with the obvious exception of the block between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. In addition to placing the final 2 inches of asphalt on the driving lane and parking areas, the pavers will patch private parking lots that were disturbed during construction. While the asphalt is still warm, Strider will apply the permanent striping to the new surface, include parking areas, stop bars and pedestrian crossings. All in all, it adds up to a significant step forward toward the final design of Pioneer Way.<br /><br />Unfortunately, while this work will bring us much closer to substantial completion, the actual paving days themselves will likely be very disruptive to vehicular traffic. Strider is still working through final details on the sequence of work, traffic control and detour routes, but it is safe to conclude that access into and out of downtown will be severely affected. To the extent possible, blocks will be opened for traffic once the street is ready, but the need to add striping will necessarily lengthen the amount of time when the street is closed.<br /><br />City staff and Strider’s flaggers will be out in force to assist with getting customers where they need to go and to help facilitate deliveries to shops up and down the street. If you are a merchant and know that you have a delivery scheduled on one of the paving days, please do let us know so we can plan ahead to provide assistance. Likewise, for those merchants with breakables on shelves, we would ask that you pay special attention to securing these items as the vibration of the steamroller can work a glass vase onto the floor pretty quickly.<br /><br />As more is learned about how the order of paving, we will issue a follow-up construction alert. In the meantime, please let one of us know if we can help you prepare.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-57564292302427549632011-09-22T07:36:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:33:14.087-07:00Construction Alert No. 18<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 21, 2011<br /><br />What’s With the Little Bamboo Plants?<br /><br />In the past hour, we have had two merchants ask about the bamboo plants that have just been “planted” on Pioneer Way so it may be time for a quick construction alert. First, please rest assured that the bamboo plants are not a last minute substitution for the Chanticleer Pear trees that we expect to arrive next week. The bamboo has, in fact, been planted inside the Filterra stormwater vaults and will perform a valuable function in helping to filter impurities that enter the drainage system when it rains. The bamboo species was selected because it is a very hardy and efficient plant that draws up water through its root structure. From an environmental perspective, these vaults are considered to be one of the best techniques available for cleaning stormwater runoff before it reaches Puget Sound. The maximum height will be about 4 feet. Maintenance is fairly simple and will be performed by our Public Works staff.<br /><br />Feel free to give us a shout if you would like further information.<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914-7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6321522068591922740.post-62461831512503568992011-09-19T13:51:00.000-07:002011-09-19T13:56:02.452-07:00Briefing No. 30<br />Pioneer Way Reconstruction Project<br /><br />September 16, 2011<br /><br />Good morning,<br /><br />Over the past week and into next week, the vast majority of the hard surfaces (asphalt and concrete) will have been placed over the full length of the project with the obvious exception of the archaeology block between Ireland and Ilwaco Streets. The unpaved street sections east of Dock, the asphalt patches on Dock between Pioneer and Bayshore, and the City Beach Street intersection will all be paved on Monday night starting about 6 pm. Final paving and striping is tentatively scheduled for the week of September 26.<br /><br />The State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) convened a meeting yesterday with Tribal and City officials to discuss how to proceed with the archaeological work on Pioneer Way between Ireland and Ilwaco. In a very productive meeting, it was agreed that the archaeologists can move ahead to remove approximately the top 10” of dirt by hand in the primary discovery area where asphalt will eventually be placed. Ten inches is the depth needed to actually build the street. All human remains and cultural artifacts encountered within this 10” layer will be removed and eventually reburied along with the resources recovered earlier.<br /><br />Once the south lane excavation is complete, Strider will construct the street to allow traffic to begin using this lane. Archaeological work will then move to the northern half of the street to again remove the top 10” in the parking space area using the same artifact recovery protocol. Once the north side work is complete, all barriers will come down and Strider will complete construction of this block. All of this work is subject to a revised permit from DAHP which should be issued by the end of next week. By that time, we should also have a good estimate of how long the archaeological work will take and when the street work can be wrapped up. We will supply this information when we receive it.<br /><br />Construction Work<br /><br />□ Phase 1 - The landscaping subcontractor completed topsoil application within several more planter islands near Dock Street. The concrete subcontractor completed filling the sidewalks gaps around the power poles.<br /><br />□ Phase 1 – Beginning around noon on Monday, Strider will begin removing the damaged surface at City Beach Street. Every effort will be made to preserve one-way traffic through this area but delays are likely. This intersection will be paved on Monday night.<br /><br />□ Phase 2 – Sidewalks were completed last week between Dock and Ireland and between Ilwaco and Midway and work is underway to cut the decorative grid pattern within these areas.<br /><br />□ Phase 2 – Work began last week to prepare the street base between Dock and Ireland and between Ilwaco and Midway in anticipation of paving on Monday night, September 19.<br /><br />□ Phase 2 – Irrigation and electrical work kept pace with the sidewalk installation, including on the north side of the archaeological enclosure.<br /><br />□ Phases 1 and 2 – Strider will again be working tomorrow (Saturday) to complete preparations for the Monday night paving. .<br /><br />□ Phases 1 and 2 - Starting next week and continuing for the two weeks following, work will concentrate on installing the “amenities,” including handrails, landscaping, streetlights, planters, benches, bike racks, tree grates, permanent signs and streetside restoration.<br /><br />The Archaeological Work<br /><br />□ City officials and the City’s consulting archaeological firm, Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA), met with State and Tribal officials on September 15 to determine how to handle the additional human remains that were discovered within several of the test pits. See above for the results of this meeting.<br /><br />□ Archaeological monitoring is continuing whenever Strider or one of their subcontractors performs any excavation work.<br /><br />Question of the Week<br /><br />Q. Why have the contractors paved the sidewalks right up to the power poles? Aren’t these poles going to be pulled out when the wires come down?<br /><br />A. Yes, the poles will be pulled out once all the customers on the street are connected to the new underground system. However, in all likelihood, it will be at least several months before everyone is hooked up and it was felt that paving the sidewalk around each pole would be safer and provide a cleaner all-weather surface. Once the time arrives to remove the poles, the concrete will be sawcut on the incised grid lines, the poles will be removed and the square then patched to match the rest of the sidewalk.<br /><br />Scheduled Gatherings/Events<br /><br />AM TUESDAY COFFEES Every Tuesday morning – 9:00 to 10:00 am<br />Pioneer Way Information and Construction Office<br />Have a cup and pastry, hear what’s on the schedule for that week<br /><br />Key City Contact People<br /><br />These are your go-to City staff for issues connected to the construction project:<br /><br />Larry Cort<br />Project Manager<br />360 914 7107<br /><a href="mailto:lcort@oakharbor.org">lcort@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Joe Stowell<br />Project Engineer<br />360 279-4520<br /><a href="mailto:jstowell@oakharbor.org">jstowell@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Rhonda Severns<br />City Utilities<br />360 914-7256<br /><a href="mailto:rhseverns@oakharbor.org">rhseverns@oakharbor.org</a><br /><br />Other Places for Information<br /><br />Pioneer Way Web Page - <a href="http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379">http://www.oakharbor.org/page.cfm?pageId=379</a><br /><br />Pioneer Way Project Blog - <a href="http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/">http://pioneerway.blogspot.com/</a>Joe Stowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13031854368086549240noreply@blogger.com0