Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project (Harrison to Walker)

Improving Access & Repairing Streets

Project Overview

The Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project received $2.9 million from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) in 2024. With this grant, Transportation Benefit District (TBD) funding, and utilitites funds, the project will extend for approximately 1,600 linear feet along Lawrence Street from Harrison to Walker Street. This project will reconstruct Lawrence Street, addressing both subgrade and pavement deterioration. Bike facilities and some landscaping will be included as well. Additionally, the project will repair sidewalks, upgrade accessibility (ADA), and fill in sidewalk gaps, thus completing a fully accessible route from Harrison to Walker Street. Water, sewer, and stormwater utility upgrades will also be completed as part of the project.

Lawrence Street is a major route for walking, biking, rolling, and transit in the Uptown Business District, which includes many commercial destinations for residents and visitors alike. On-street parking exists on both sides but is unmarked and poorly organized. A continuous sidewalk exists along the north side for all six blocks from Harrison to Walker and along the south side from Harrison to Benton, but there is no sidewalk for the three blocks between Benton and Walker. 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. Improving ADA, pedestrian, bicycle, transit and driving connections between the Public Library at Harrison 6 blocks southwest to Walker Street, while retaining on-street parking would improve accessibility, mobility, and safety for all users walking, biking, and rolling to their destinations in the Uptown Business District. 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.

Project Funding
This project is funded with Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funds at $2,992,000, local Transportation Benefit District (TBD) funds at $475,000, as well as city utility funding. The City match, along with utility funding, brings the total project budget to $4.1 million. There are no federal funds in the project.

Project Schedule & Construction Notices

Consultant to prepare concept design: Spring 2025
Public process (including open-house re: concept design): Summer 2025
Concept design adopted by City Council: Summer/Fall 2025
PS&E completed: December 2025
Construction bid advertisement: January 2026
Award construction contract: March 2026
Start of construction: April 2026
Construction completed: October 2026

All dates are approximate and subject to change.

General Construction Notices:

Equipment staging may begin before work is scheduled and may occupy parking stalls along the street.
Work hours will be between 7:00AM and 6:00PM.
Work may result in temporary road closure to all traffic (vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian) and closures of sidewalks on the side where work is occurring.
All local residences can still access homes along Lawrence Street. Traffic will be guided by flaggers when necessary.