Holcomb and Wilson Street Sewer Upsizing Project

ADDING CAPACITY AND UPDATING our sewer system

Project Update: March 25, 2025

The Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing Project will upgrade and relocate a sewer line near Holcomb and Wilson Streets. A recent city analysis identified undersized sewer pipes that cannot meet future demand. One of these segments, located in the area between Holcomb and Wilson Streets, will struggle to handle peak flows as the Rainier Subarea develops. Without upgrades, the system risks sewer overtopping, making this project essential for preventing future failures and supporting new housing, including the Madrona Ridge subdivision.

Project contact:

Mike Connelly, P.E., Project Manager

(360) 531-2761

mconnelly@cityofpt.us

Project Background 

The existing sewer infrastructure in the Holcomb and Wilson Street area presents significant challenges that necessitate this project. With the development of the Rainier Subarea and Mill Road lift station, the current sewer line is undersized and will be unable to efficiently handle future peak flow conditions. By upsizing the sewer line, the City can prevent future failures, reduce operational costs, and provide a long-term solution for wastewater management. 

The Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing project focuses on upsizing and relocating the sewer line from the Sims Way crossing in the vicinity of Wilson Street and Holcomb Street.

This includes: 

• Upsize existing 8-inch gravity sewer with new 18-inch gravity sewer;
• New alignment to move pipeline out from under existing residences to improve access for maintenance.

The sewer line transports wastewater from the Rainier Subarea to the sewer interceptor behind Safeway. The primary goal is to improve sewer flow efficiency and improve capacity in the system. 

The Holcomb and Wilson Sewer Upsizing project is part of a broader effort to enhance infrastructure in Port Townsend. Several internal and external projects are influencing or benefiting from this project, including the Mill Road Lift Station Project. 

What is not included in this project: 

• This is strictly a sewer project. No additional stormwater or other utilities improvements are planned for this project.
• This project only replaces sewer mains and trunk lines. It does not include replacing or repairing private property connections beyond what is strictly necessary for construction.

Total project cost is estimated at $1.34 million. The project is funded solely by sewer rates.

Project Timeline:

The project planning started in January 2025 and will be completed November/December 2026.

Other project milestones are outlined below:

• Site investigation and Options Analysis: January 2025-May 2025
• Design: May 2025 - January 2026
• Bid & Advertise for Construction: January 2026-April 2026
• Construction: July 2026-November 2026
• Project Closeout: November/December 2026
   

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Expectations for Project Impact:

Potential impacts will primarily impact property owners in neighborhoods on 7^th Street, Wilson Street, and Holcomb Street. Work may involve temporary disruptions such as road closures, noise, and access restrictions. We will provide additional notices as the project progresses.

Potential impacts include:

• Temporary sewer service disruptions
• Partial road closures on Wilson, 7th, and Holcomb Streets.
• Construction noise from dump trucks and heavy equipment
• Temporary closure of property driveways
• Work hours are anticipated to be 8am-6pm (This may be subject to change).

Recommendations for parents and pet owners:

• Supervise children near any work zones: Keep kids away from construction areas and educate them on dangers of playing near trenches or equipment.
• Secure pets indoors or on a leash: If you have outdoor pets, ensure they are kept indoor or leashed when outside to prevent them from wandering into work zones.
•  Follow construction notices: Check for updates on road closures and expected work schedule to plan for safe routes for walking or biking.

Thank you for your support in improving our essential community infrastructure!

When available you can find the Request for Bid Proposals here: https://cityofpt.us/rfps

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The City will be utilizing a trenchless construction method called horizontal directional drilling (HDD for short) under Sims Way as part of this project to limit any road closures. 

     What is Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)?

Imagine you have a long tunnel that goes underground, but instead of digging a big trench, you drill a small hole from one side to the other. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a special construction method that lets engineers put pipes underground without digging up roads, rivers, or buildings.

      How does HDD work in a sewer project?

When a city needs to install a new sewer pipe but doesn't want to tear up the street, they use HDD. Here’s how it works:

1. Drill a Small Hole – A special machine drills a hole starting from one end of the project to the other, following a curved path underground.
2. Make the Hole Bigger – The machine pulls a bigger tool through the hole to make it wide enough for the pipe.
3. Install the Pipe – The new sewer pipe is pulled through the hole, connecting everything underground.

To give you a better idea on what this process looks like, watch this video https://youtu.be/JAhdb7dKQpU?si=h7G3mHVd1FHEZx3E

March 3, 2025 Agenda Bill for this project can be found in City Council archives here: https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/agendasminutesvideos

General Sewer Plan (SM1 and SM3): https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/city-plans

2025-2030 Capital Facilities Plan:  https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/city-plans

Project Overview Map: