Lawrence & Tyler Street Projects

Repairing Streets, Improving Accessibility

Project Update: March 27, 2025
 

Tyler Street Paving Starting Mid-April
 

Project contact:
Laura Parsons, P.E., Project Manager
lparsons@cityofpt.us

Project Overview

The City will start the Tyler Street Overlay Project in mid-April 2025.  This project will improve access to businesses, the Community Center, and the Farmers Market in Uptown. 

This project will repair the pavement on Tyler Street between Lawrence and Jefferson Street and will also install new sidewalks and wheelchair ramps along the project corridor.  The City has received great support for this project from Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH), Jefferson County Farmers Market, Port Townsend Main Street, and Jefferson Transit. Thank you everyone for your continued patience as we make much needed repairs and improve accessibility along the Lawrence and Tyler Street business district.

Street Improvements:

• Tyler Street between Lawrence and Jefferson Street will be repaved.  The pavement is rapidly deteriorating, and this is an opportunity to prevent complete pavement failure which is costly to address.
   
• New ramps and areas of new sidewalk will be installed.  This work, when complete, will create a fully accessible route between Downtown and Uptown. This accessible route will facilitate a safe, connected route for those using assistive devices like wheelchairs and walkers.
   
• The City Council approved head out (back in) angled parking on Tyler Street to replace the angled parking currently present.  Head out parking is much safer for bikes and pedestrians using this busy section of Uptown. There is helpful information in the Council discussions during the April 1st and April 15th business meetings in 2024 around this decision. These meetings can be viewed on the City’s website at https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/agendasminutesvideos
   
• This project will create a new ADA accessible parking stall in the block between Lawrence Street and Clay Street.  
   

The Tyler Street Project cost is $732,340 and funded by numerous sources. The full project budget is is linked at the bottom of this page.

• Transportation Benefit District Funds: $323,000 
• Transportation Improvement Board Grant: $305,840
• Real Estate Excise Tax: $75,000
• Stormwater Utility Funds: $28,500
   

Project Schedule & Construction Notices

This project must be constructed this spring and early summer to meet grant deadlines and pave the street when warm weather permits.  Staff expects construction to ramp up in mid-April and be completed in July.  The streets will not be closed, apart from a few paving days.  The Farmer’s Market does not need to relocate, because all work will be done on the street during the week prior to the Wednesday market opening for the season.  As we learn more details about the schedule, we will keep the public posted.

As the Lawrence & Tyler Street improvements continue, please note:  

• Work hours will typically be between 8:00AM and 6:00PM.
• Equipment may be staged in parking stalls adjacent to where work is occurring.
• There may be sidewalk closures along the side of the street where work is occurring and the opposite side will remain open for pedestrians. Safety in a high-traffic area like Uptown is of the utmost importance – businesses will remain open and accessible during this project.
• Traffic will be guided by flaggers when necessary.

Completed Work in the Lawrence Tyler Street Corridor

• Lawrence Street work between Harrison and Tyler Streets focused primarily on installing bulbouts (sidewalk extensions) at the street corners.  The bulbouts are a proven way to make walking safer when crossing the street and to help slow down cars. The bulbouts incorporate rain gardens and room for tree planting. 
  
• Three hornbeam trees were removed on Lawrence where tree roots are damaging side sewers and buckling the sidewalk. The wood from these trees went to the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. The sidewalk was replaced in this area and thirteen new trees of species that are more appropriate for sidewalk infrastructure were planted along the corridor. Overall, nine trees were slated to be removed along Tyler and Lawrence, and thirteen new, sidewalk-compatible trees will be planted. 

Sidewalk heaving ground tree roots causing a trip hazard & uneven surface

• A new bus stop to support those experiencing disabilities and other transit riders will be installed at the Northwest corner of Lawrence Street near Tyler. Two parking stalls will be eliminated to support this new bus stop as requested by Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH).  

   

Our Partners

This project was made successful through support of PT Main Street, Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH), the Jefferson County Farmers Market, Local 2020 Transportation Lab, and Jefferson County Transit.  These partners will continue to help get the word out, along with our City communications.
 

We understand that construction has impacts to businesses and residents and we ask for your patience, grace, and support this year as we make Uptown more inclusive to all users. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. 
 

Thank you for your support in improving access to our community resources!

Future WORK IN THE PROJECT corridor

Lawrence Sewer & Stormwater Separation Project Overview

The city is addressing Uptown accessibility issues, pavement restoration, and sewer/stormwater separation through several grant-funded improvement projects. These accessibility improvements are necessary as the first step to eventually repaving Lawrence from Monroe Street to the Public Library. The City is also assessing the sewer lines under the street in preparation for planning purposes.

Phase 1 of the Sewer Project on Lawrence also includes planning a critical infrastructure project to reduce strain on the sanitary sewer system and the Monroe Street Lift Station caused by combined stormwater and sewage flows in the Lawrence Street sewer line (from Filmore to Monroe Street). This project aims to improve wastewater management, protection of public health, and environmental quality. This project is essential to perform first prior to the Lawrence Street pavement surface repairs.

Timeline for the overall Sewer/Stormwater Separation Project is as follows:

Spring 2025 - Sewer data gathering involving camera inspection, smoke and dye testing, survey,  and soil testing

Summer 2025-Winter 2025 - Preliminary design for sewer, stormwater, and road reconstruction

Spring 2026 - Winter 2026 - Design

Spring 2027 - Construction

Currently this project is being funded by grant through the Public Works Board. Stay tuned to this page for updates as the project moves forward.

Please click on the links below for more information on all the projects completed or ongoing in this project corridor and stay tuned as additional details and construction schedules are released. Read the City Enews, Quarterly, City Facebook Page, and City Utility Bill Newsletter to stay up-to-date. You can contact Project Managers Mike Connelly, P.E. and Laura Parsons, P.E. with questions about these projects. 

Lawrence & Tyler Plans

Lawrence St. ADA and Pedestrian Safety Project: Complete Streets

Tree Planting Plan - Lawrence St

Tree Planting Plan - Tyler St