Lawrence Street Combined Sewer Separation Project (Harrison to Monroe)

Photo: Public Works Director Steve King fields questions from the community about Lawrence Street improvements.

Improving INFRASTRUCTURE & Repairing Streets

Project Overview

The Lawrence Street Sewer and Stormwater Separation & Road Restoration Project is planned for Uptown Port Townsend between Harrison Street and Monroe Street. The project will separate stormwater from the sanitary sewer system by installing a new stormwater collection system along Lawrence Street. This will include a new stormwater trunk line, catch basins, stormwater laterals, and connection to the existing downstream stormwater system near Monroe Street.

The project will also rehabilitate or replace portions of the existing sanitary sewer system, complete water utility upgrades shown in the current project concepts, restore Lawrence Street after utility construction, and integrate the work with pedestrian and ADA accessibility improvements along the corridor. Stormwater treatment is also included as part of the project.

Project Area

Why is the City prioritizing this project right now? 

Port Townsend’s aging combined sewer system was originally built to carry both rainwater (stormwater) and raw sewage in the same pipes, but during heavy rain, excess stormwater can overwhelm the system, leading to untreated sewage discharges into Port Townsend Bay. Lawrence Street, a primary thoroughfare in Uptown Port Townsend and one of the oldest streets in the City, has a combined sewer and stormwater line that drains to the Monroe Street Lift Station—a critical facility that handles a significant portion of the City’s peak wastewater flow. During storms, the increased inflow pushes the lift station to its limits, requiring all three pumps to operate at full capacity. The Monroe Street Lift Station currently operates about 16 percent over capacity during wet weather. Prolonged overloading accelerates wear on equipment and increases the risk of system failure, which can result in overflows, environmental contamination, and potential sewage backups into homes and businesses.

At the same time, the pavement on Lawrence Street is in poor condition and continues to deteriorate, creating safety and accessibility issues for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. Sidewalks and curb ramps along the corridor also need to be upgraded to meet current ADA accessibility standards. By tackling these problems together—separating stormwater from the sewer system, rehabilitating the sewer line, and rebuilding the street—the City can avoid repeated disruptions and make the most of available funding.

Coordinating this work now will eliminate over 1 million gallons from entering the sewer system each year. It will also improve the reliability of the Monroe Street Lift Station and help extend the life of key infrastructure. By acting now, the City can avoid more expensive upgrades to the lift station and lower risk of environmental impacts to Port Townsend Bay. With design work underway, funding opportunities aligned, and public support for addressing stormwater and road conditions, the Lawrence Street project presents a unique opportunity to deliver a high-impact investment that offers numerous benefits to the community.

Separating stormwater from the sewer system will alleviate pressure on the Monroe Street Lift Station, enhance system reliability, and reduce the likelihood of costly infrastructure failures.

Lawrence Street multimodal improvements are included in this project.

This project will also address accessibility issues by focusing on sidewalk and ramp improvements for ADA compliance. Any road work associated with the Lawrence Street sewer project will need to be monitored so that finished surfaces integrate with current sidewalk and ramp improvements along Lawrence from Harrison to Tyler. 

This project will: 

• Complete water, sewer, and stormwater utility upgrades, including sanitary sewer rehabilitation, a new dedicated stormwater collection system, and stormwater treatment.
• Reconstruct Lawrence Street, addressing both subgrade and pavement deterioration.
• Add bike facilities and some landscaping 
• Repair sidewalks, upgrade accessibility (ADA), and fill in sidewalk gaps
• Complete a fully accessible route from Monroe to Walker Street

Conceptual Street and Intersection Improvements

The following graphics are conceptual and are intended to show the types of street, sidewalk, drainage, and accessibility improvements being evaluated during design. Final layouts may change as engineering, utility coordination, stormwater treatment, parking, access, and public feedback are refined.

Conceptual Corridor Views

The corridor graphics are divided into segments to show how the proposed improvements may vary along Lawrence Street between Harrison and Monroe Streets.

Images:

Conceptual view from Harrison to Polk

Conceptual view from Polk to Taylor

Conceptual view from Taylor to Quincy

Conceptual view from Quincy to Monroe

Typical Intersection Improvements

Intersection improvements may include upgraded curb ramps, shorter pedestrian crossings, drainage improvements, and stormwater treatment features where feasible.

Image:

These concepts will continue to be refined as design progresses. The City will evaluate utility conflicts, drainage needs, stormwater treatment requirements, ADA accessibility, parking, business access, and public feedback before finalizing the improvements.

Additional Information

These combined projects along Lawrence and Tyler Street improve accessibility, mobility, and safety for all users walking, biking, and rolling to their destinations in the Uptown & Downtown Business Districts.

The City Non-Motorized Plan identifies Lawrence Street as a top priority corridor for bicycle lanes and local ADA advocacy group Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH) has identified Lawrence Street as a key route that needs sidewalk and ADA accessibility updates. The street surface is in extreme need of pavement repairs and constructing ADA ramps ahead of resurfacing stretches paving investments to repair more street over time. It is a priority to improve ADA, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and driving connections with everything Lawrence connects from Monroe to Walker: from Chetzemoka Park and the Skate Park to the Public Library, Mountain View Pool and Golf Park. To comply with the Port Townsend GMA Comprehensive Plan, Non-Motorized Plan, Complete Street ordinance, and Greenhouse Gas emission reduction policy, the City is planning to reconstruct Lawrence Street for people of all ages and abilities. 

All dates are approximate and subject to change. More detail will be added as it becomes available.  

Project Budget

The current planning-level project budget is approximately $6.3 million.

A substantial portion of the project is anticipated to be funded through state grant and loan programs, including funding from the Washington State Public Works Board ($2.4 million) and the Washington State Department of Ecology ($3.0 million). These outside funding sources help reduce the amount of local utility funding needed while allowing the City to complete major sewer, stormwater, roadway, and accessibility improvements in one coordinated project.

Public Works Board funding is expected to support roadway, accessibility, and corridor restoration improvements associated with the project. Department of Ecology funding is expected to support water quality and wastewater-related improvements, including stormwater separation, stormwater treatment, and sanitary sewer rehabilitation. Remaining project costs are anticipated to be funded through City sewer and stormwater utility funds, along with other available local funding sources.

The City will continue to refine the project budget as design progresses, grant and loan agreements are finalized, and construction costs are better defined.

Project contact:
Michael Connelly, P.E., Project Manager
mconnelly@cityofpt.us