PRESS RELEASE - Construction on Lawrence Street to Begin September 14
Project from Harrison to Walker will take seven months to complete.
August 18, 2026 PORT TOWNSEND – The City of Port Townsend, working with Seton Construction, will begin construction on the long-awaited Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project. The project area is located between Harrison Street and Walker Street on Lawrence. Construction is planned to begin on September 14, 2026 after the Wooden Boat Festival, and will last approximately 140 working days (seven months). Completion is anticipated in early summer, 2027.
City staff and Council have heard from the community about issues along Lawrence Street for many years. It 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 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’s recently adopted Active Transportation Plan identifies Lawrence Street as a top priority corridor for bike 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. Additionally, the street surface is in extreme need of pavement repairs. Improving ADA, pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and driving connections between the Public Library at Harrison to Walker Street, enhances accessibility, mobility, and safety for all users of the corridor.
The Lawrence Street Multimodal Improvements Project received approximately $2.9 million from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) in 2024. With this grant, Transportation Benefit District (TBD) funding, and utilities funds, the project will 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, completing a fully accessible route from Harrison to Walker Street. The project also addresses water, sewer, and stormwater utility upgrades. The total project budget from design through construction is $4.3 million.
Traffic Control During Construction
Road detours will be in effect over the course of this seven-month project. There will be message boards, signs, and flaggers that will help direct traffic. Impacts to bus or transit routes/stops will be coordinated with those agencies with advance notice, and the City will work closely with community partners to ensure festivals and events, including the Rhododendron Festival parade, can be accommodated. The City asks that all motorists drive slowly near the work zone and in the surrounding area as a courtesy to neighbors and construction workers, and for safety. All adjacent residents will have access to their driveways. Any work at driveways will be coordinated directly with the resident using the driveway.
Thank you in advance to our community for your patience and support as the City makes these much-needed upgrades on Lawrence Street.
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For more information about this project, visit the City’s website at: https://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/lawrence-street-multimodal-improvements-project-harrison-walker-0
For information about what is planned for Lawrence Street from Harrison to Monroe, visit: https://cityofpt.us/engagept/page/lawrence-street-combined-sewer-separation-project-harrison-monroe
