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Port Orchard says $3 million award and local funds reshape Bay Street reconstruction timing
Summary
City officials discussed recent federal and state awards, revised construction scenarios and the potential impact on downtown businesses as Bay Street reconstruction reaches 60% design.
Port Orchard officials told the Economic Development & Tourism Committee on Monday that an award of $3,000,000 from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell’s office, combined with an earlier $1,000,000 state allocation, changes the city’s funding picture for the Bay Street reconstruction project and could affect the construction schedule.
The update came as John Morrissey, chair of the Economic Development & Tourism Committee, asked staff to summarize where the project stands and what is known about timelines and impacts. Mayor Rob said, “we were awarded $3,000,000 for this project,” and cautioned that that federal funding is subject to the federal budget process and would likely not be available until the fall.
The city is working from a 60% design. City staff outlined two primary construction scenarios: a short, intensive closure that would likely shut Bay Street for roughly 60 days during underground work followed by 60–90 days of total work (a six- to nine-month overall schedule was described as optimistic), or a one- to one-and-a-half-year phased approach with alternating one-way traffic and flaggers that keeps the road open but prolongs impacts to businesses. Mayor Rob said a full short closure would make the project less expensive for the contractor and reduce flagging and traffic-control cost.
Committee members and staff also discussed how the project ties to planned downtown investments. Mayor Rob described a possible sequence in which the city could use federal funds to free up local dollars for the community center and plaza, or, if timelines do not align, delay road construction to build the community center and road concurrently. He said the city could still proceed with a 2026 construction start if it chose not to accept federal reimbursement timing that would complicate the schedule.
Staff reported that the state has approved the project’s elevations and the plan to reduce the downtown speed limit to 20 mph and add pedestrian-friendly amenities. The committee heard that the city expects pricing and updated construction estimates by this fall (staff said cost estimates for the community event center are expected in November) and that the council will get an opportunity to weigh in at the 90% design milestone.
Committee members asked about detour routing. Staff described a detour that would send through-traffic from Kitsap back down to Sydney Avenue, and noted that the segment of Bay Street between Frederick and Sydney would remain available for parking. Several committee members said downtown merchants prefer a short, concentrated closure to reduce the total period of disruption; others warned about the business impacts of any closure.
No formal action was taken at the meeting. Staff said they will bring updated cost estimates and a 90% design to the council this fall for further decisions.
