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HomeMy WebLinkAbout021523 FW_ _EXTERNAL_ URGENT!! Summer 2023 Hood Canal Bridge Closures - IMPACT ON PORT TOWNSEND TOURIST TRAFFIC ________________________________ From: Shira Goodman Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 12:26:04 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: dfaber@cityofpt.us; citycouncil@cityofpt.us; Greg Brotherton; PTPC@cityofpt.us; Kate Dean; Heidi Eisenhour; artscomm@cityofpt.us; director@jeffcountychamber.org; jmauro@cityofpt.us; Verraes Teresa; info@centrum.org Cc: Tremain Kerry; Curtsinger Bill; Goodman Brian; lloyd@ptleader.com; jsloan@ptleader.com; dfirenze@ptleader.com; bkelly@ptleader.com; sking@cityofpt.us Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] URGENT!! Summer 2023 Hood Canal Bridge Closures - IMPACT ON PORT TOWNSEND TOURIST TRAFFIC ________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ I'm sure you have all seen the WSDOT's response to my original email, which you were all copied in on. I'm concerned that Mr Roark's response makes it sound as though this project will only be a mild inconvenience to this community and doesn't adequately address the major economic and employment impact it will have on our city, our neighbors to the west, and our residents. I'm sure there are more questions and concerns than the ones listed below, but these are the ones I've thought of: * Who is "the community" that the DOT approached last year with their proposed shut down dates? * What were the specific reasons/events that their May/June 2023 proposal was turned down? * Do they bring in more revenue than the events later in the summer? * Was the general public, especially local businesses and festival organizers, informed of the proposed dates for this project and given a chance to weigh in before they were actually scheduled? (Is this the "community" Mr Roark mentioned? Were any of you made aware of it?) * Does this have to be done on four consecutive weekends? * What about the September time frame he mentions (taking into account the Wooden Boat Festival)? * Can this be postponed to the spring of 2024 (before Memorial Day)? * Has the DOT considered adding a temporary ferry run from Seattle or Edmond directly to Port Townsend? (It wouldn't be a very direct route and may be cost prohibitive, but is it worth discussing?) Additionally, in today's Leader article about the project, they state that the WSDOT has also has scheduled their three roundabout construction projects for this summer (no dates given), including the one at the corner of Sims Way and Kearney. Depending on how long those projects take, this can also affect our first traffic as well as local traffic into the downtown area. I am hoping that those of you and others who are more familiar with city and state politics, fiscal/budget concerns, and engineering and infrastructure will be able and willing to take up the gauntlet at this point, as I am really not knowledgeable about these issues. I only know that what the WSDOT is proposing is a bad idea for Port Townsend. Thank you all! Shira On Feb 15, 2023, at 10:27 AM, Roark, Steve <RoarkS@wsdot.wa.gov> wrote:  Hello Ms. Goodman, I want to thank you for reaching out about the upcoming work on the HCB. We have an unprecedented amount of construction work across the north peninsula over the next few years and, unfortunately, there are no good times for major construction. Most of the work we do is weather-sensitive and our team has done their best to schedule the various projects to avoid or minimize the impacts to the commuters, tourists, and other users who need the transportation system to work for them and keep goods and services moving. The repair to HCB centerlocks is critical to keep this vital transportation link in a state of good repair. The work has to be done in the summer when we have favorable weather, and the work itself is very specialized. Our construction contractor needs to assemble a special team, procure custom fabricated parts, stage equipment, and aggressively pursue the work over four weekends. Unfortunately, there are not four weekends in the summer months that completely avoid important community events. Last fall, we reached out to the community and received feedback that the May/June timeframe had many high-demand events, and we were asked to reconsider the closure dates. We worked with our contractor and identified the current late-July start date, which puts the work in a better weather window and addressed many of the community concerns. However, that timeframe is also concerning to many in the community. The late-July through late-August timeframe is the most likely at this point in our planning. We are exploring opportunities for traffic to cross the bridge during specific times during the weekend closures, but those may not be feasible and they would be limited to perhaps twice per weekend. Moving the work to September is possible but leaves little margin for error given that we do not advance work on the HCB after October 1, unless it’s an emergency. The four weekend closures for the HCB are currently planned to start at 11:00 pm Friday and extend to 4:00 am on Monday. We’re hoping folks travelling to events can adjust their travel plans by arriving early and leaving late, if they have the flexibility to do so. To stay up to date on the latest information, please follow our online open house <https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/north- olympic-peninsula-2023-construction/construction-projects-and-expected-delays/> . It has information and links to projects in the area including HCB, ways to sign up for updates, and an e-mail address to ask us questions. I know this is not the response you were hoping for, but we are at point where we need make these important repairs. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me directly. Regards, Steve Steve Roark, PE Region Administrator WSDOT Olympic Region 7407 31st Ave NE Lacey, WA 98516 (360) 357-2658 From: Shira Goodman <shiragoodman@me.com <mailto:shiragoodman@me.com> > Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2023 7:05 PM To: orfeedback <orfeedback@WSDOT.WA.GOV <mailto:orfeedback@WSDOT.WA.GOV> > Cc: dfaber@cityofpt.us <mailto:dfaber@cityofpt.us> ; citycouncil@cityofpt.us <mailto:citycouncil@cityofpt.us> ; Brotherton Greg <GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us> ; Eisenhour Heidi <heisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:heisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; PTPC@cityofpt.us <mailto:PTPC@cityofpt.us> ; artscomm@cityofpt.us <mailto:artscomm@cityofpt.us> ; director@jeffcountychamber.org <mailto:director@jeffcountychamber.org> ; jmauro@cityofpt.us <mailto:jmauro@cityofpt.us> ; Verraes Teresa <director@northwindart.org <mailto:director@northwindart.org> >; info@centrum.org <mailto:info@centrum.org> Subject: [EXTERNAL] URGENT!! Summer 2023 Hood Canal Bridge Closures - IMPACT ON PORT TOWNSEND TOURIST TRAFFIC Importance: High WARNING: This email originated from outside of WSDOT. Please use caution with links and attachments. URGENT LETTER TO THE WASHINGTON DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION REQUEST TO RESCHEDULE PLANNED CLOSURE OF THE HOOD CANAL BRIDGE - SUMMER 2023. I am a resident of Port Townsend. While planning my son’s wedding for this coming August, I became aware of the DOT’s plans to shut down the Hood Canal Bridge for four consecutive weekends this summer, including our wedding weekend. While this had caused some initial concern for our wedding guests to be able to get to our venue, my bigger concern is for the City of Port Townsend and its much-needed summer tourist revenue. As you know, Port Townsend’s economy is largely tourist based, and we rely heavily on weekend guests who come to enjoy the multitude of Summer Festivals that our city holds every summer. Revenues over the last 3 summers have suffered greatly due to the pandemic, with only some of the events and businesses beginning to open up in 2022. The Summer of 2023 is the first summer in 3 years that we will be able to be fully open for the public to come and enjoy our weekend festivals again. And the DOT has decided to shut down the main artery to this region on four of those weekends! The impact of the DOT’s decision will be huge. Practically speaking, most people from Kitsap County and South, to the entire greater Seattle region, will be discouraged from attempting to pop over to Port Townsend to attend our many events. Port Townsend businesses, from restaurants to hotels, street merchants to art galleries, will all suffer greatly because of lower tourist turnout. Losses may end up being millions of dollars. In fact, my husband is scheduled to have his art shown in two art exhibits in galleries this August. With fewer tourists from Seattle and other areas, my husband’s chances of being able to sell his art are greatly reduced. And Port Townsend isn’t the only economy that will be affected. Every place west of us will also be great affected, including Sequim, which has its own Summer Festivals, Port Angeles and access to the Black Ball Ferry to Victoria, and further to the coast. Even access to the Olympic National Park. In addition, all of the people planning and working these events will have reduced access to their vendors and suppliers on the eastern side of the bridge during this busy season. I don’t think the DOT gave proper consideration to the devastating effects their decision could have on our local economy before choosing the height of our tourist season to shut down the bridge. I implore the DOT to reschedule their planned Hood Canal Bridge renovation for a time that will not severely impact the City of Port Townsend and our neighbors on the Olympic Peninsula. Sincerely, Shira Goodman 34 Ridgeview Dr Port Townsend, WA 98368 (626) 318-9317 From WSDOT Website: “Travelers can expect up to four total weekend closures of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. These closures are currently scheduled for 11 p.m. Friday night to 4 a.m. Monday on the following weekends: July 28-31, Aug. 4-7, Aug. 11-14 and Aug. 18-21. Crews will also require a series of night intermittent closures to all travelers.The closures require good weather and calm tides, so they may be rescheduled. All closures will be announced in advance.” Cc: Governor Jay Inslee House Representative Derek Kilmer, 6th District Mayor David Faber, Port Townsend Port Townsend City Council Greg Brotherton, Chair, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Kate Dean, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Heidi Eisenhour, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners John Mauro, Port Townsend City Manager Port Townsend Planning Commission Port Townsend Arts Commission Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Teresa Verraes, Director Northwind Art, Port Townsend Centrum.org <http://Centrum.org> , Multi-Discipline Creative Arts Organization at Fort Worden /events that their May/June 2023 proposal was turned down? * Do they bring in more revenue than the events later in the summer? * Was the general public, especially local businesses and festival organizers, informed of the proposed dates for this project and given a chance to weigh in before they were actually scheduled? (Is this the "community" Mr Roark mentioned? Were any of you made aware of it?) * Does this have to be done on four consecutive weekends? * What about the September time frame he mentions (taking into account the Wooden Boat Festival)? * Can this be postponed to the spring of 2024 (before Memorial Day)? * Has the DOT considered adding a temporary ferry run from Seattle or Edmond directly to Port Townsend? (It wouldn't be a very direct route and may be cost prohibitive, but is it worth discussing?) Additionally, in today's Leader article about the project, they state that the WSDOT has also has scheduled their three roundabout construction projects for this summer (no dates given), including the one at the corner of Sims Way and Kearney. Depending on how long those projects take, this can also affect our first traffic as well as local traffic into the downtown area. I am hoping that those of you and others who are more familiar with city and state politics, fiscal/budget concerns, and engineering and infrastructure will be able and willing to take up the gauntlet at this point, as I am really not knowledgeable about these issues. I only know that what the WSDOT is proposing is a bad idea for Port Townsend. Thank you all! Shira On Feb 15, 2023, at 10:27 AM, Roark, Steve <RoarkS@wsdot.wa.gov> wrote:  Hello Ms. Goodman, I want to thank you for reaching out about the upcoming work on the HCB. We have an unprecedented amount of construction work across the north peninsula over the next few years and, unfortunately, there are no good times for major construction. Most of the work we do is weather-sensitive and our team has done their best to schedule the various projects to avoid or minimize the impacts to the commuters, tourists, and other users who need the transportation system to work for them and keep goods and services moving. The repair to HCB centerlocks is critical to keep this vital transportation link in a state of good repair. The work has to be done in the summer when we have favorable weather, and the work itself is very specialized. Our construction contractor needs to assemble a special team, procure custom fabricated parts, stage equipment, and aggressively pursue the work over four weekends. Unfortunately, there are not four weekends in the summer months that completely avoid important community events. Last fall, we reached out to the community and received feedback that the May/June timeframe had many high-demand events, and we were asked to reconsider the closure dates. We worked with our contractor and identified the current late-July start date, which puts the work in a better weather window and addressed many of the community concerns. However, that timeframe is also concerning to many in the community. The late-July through late-August timeframe is the most likely at this point in our planning. We are exploring opportunities for traffic to cross the bridge during specific times during the weekend closures, but those may not be feasible and they would be limited to perhaps twice per weekend. Moving the work to September is possible but leaves little margin for error given that we do not advance work on the HCB after October 1, unless it’s an emergency. The four weekend closures for the HCB are currently planned to start at 11:00 pm Friday and extend to 4:00 am on Monday. We’re hoping folks travelling to events can adjust their travel plans by arriving early and leaving late, if they have the flexibility to do so. To stay up to date on the latest information, please follow our online open house <https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/north- olympic-peninsula-2023-construction/construction-projects-and-expected-delays/> . It has information and links to projects in the area including HCB, ways to sign up for updates, and an e-mail address to ask us questions. I know this is not the response you were hoping for, but we are at point where we need make these important repairs. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me directly. Regards, Steve Steve Roark, PE Region Administrator WSDOT Olympic Region 7407 31st Ave NE Lacey, WA 98516 (360) 357-2658 From: Shira Goodman <shiragoodman@me.com <mailto:shiragoodman@me.com> > Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2023 7:05 PM To: orfeedback <orfeedback@WSDOT.WA.GOV <mailto:orfeedback@WSDOT.WA.GOV> > Cc: dfaber@cityofpt.us <mailto:dfaber@cityofpt.us> ; citycouncil@cityofpt.us <mailto:citycouncil@cityofpt.us> ; Brotherton Greg <GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us> ; Eisenhour Heidi <heisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:heisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; PTPC@cityofpt.us <mailto:PTPC@cityofpt.us> ; artscomm@cityofpt.us <mailto:artscomm@cityofpt.us> ; director@jeffcountychamber.org <mailto:director@jeffcountychamber.org> ; jmauro@cityofpt.us <mailto:jmauro@cityofpt.us> ; Verraes Teresa <director@northwindart.org <mailto:director@northwindart.org> >; info@centrum.org <mailto:info@centrum.org> Subject: [EXTERNAL] URGENT!! Summer 2023 Hood Canal Bridge Closures - IMPACT ON PORT TOWNSEND TOURIST TRAFFIC Importance: High WARNING: This email originated from outside of WSDOT. Please use caution with links and attachments. URGENT LETTER TO THE WASHINGTON DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION REQUEST TO RESCHEDULE PLANNED CLOSURE OF THE HOOD CANAL BRIDGE - SUMMER 2023. I am a resident of Port Townsend. While planning my son’s wedding for this coming August, I became aware of the DOT’s plans to shut down the Hood Canal Bridge for four consecutive weekends this summer, including our wedding weekend. While this had caused some initial concern for our wedding guests to be able to get to our venue, my bigger concern is for the City of Port Townsend and its much-needed summer tourist revenue. As you know, Port Townsend’s economy is largely tourist based, and we rely heavily on weekend guests who come to enjoy the multitude of Summer Festivals that our city holds every summer. Revenues over the last 3 summers have suffered greatly due to the pandemic, with only some of the events and businesses beginning to open up in 2022. The Summer of 2023 is the first summer in 3 years that we will be able to be fully open for the public to come and enjoy our weekend festivals again. And the DOT has decided to shut down the main artery to this region on four of those weekends! The impact of the DOT’s decision will be huge. Practically speaking, most people from Kitsap County and South, to the entire greater Seattle region, will be discouraged from attempting to pop over to Port Townsend to attend our many events. Port Townsend businesses, from restaurants to hotels, street merchants to art galleries, will all suffer greatly because of lower tourist turnout. Losses may end up being millions of dollars. In fact, my husband is scheduled to have his art shown in two art exhibits in galleries this August. With fewer tourists from Seattle and other areas, my husband’s chances of being able to sell his art are greatly reduced. And Port Townsend isn’t the only economy that will be affected. Every place west of us will also be great affected, including Sequim, which has its own Summer Festivals, Port Angeles and access to the Black Ball Ferry to Victoria, and further to the coast. Even access to the Olympic National Park. In addition, all of the people planning and working these events will have reduced access to their vendors and suppliers on the eastern side of the bridge during this busy season. I don’t think the DOT gave proper consideration to the devastating effects their decision could have on our local economy before choosing the height of our tourist season to shut down the bridge. I implore the DOT to reschedule their planned Hood Canal Bridge renovation for a time that will not severely impact the City of Port Townsend and our neighbors on the Olympic Peninsula. Sincerely, Shira Goodman 34 Ridgeview Dr Port Townsend, WA 98368 (626) 318-9317 From WSDOT Website: “Travelers can expect up to four total weekend closures of the SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge. These closures are currently scheduled for 11 p.m. Friday night to 4 a.m. Monday on the following weekends: July 28-31, Aug. 4-7, Aug. 11-14 and Aug. 18-21. Crews will also require a series of night intermittent closures to all travelers.The closures require good weather and calm tides, so they may be rescheduled. All closures will be announced in advance.” Cc: Governor Jay Inslee House Representative Derek Kilmer, 6th District Mayor David Faber, Port Townsend Port Townsend City Council Greg Brotherton, Chair, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Kate Dean, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Heidi Eisenhour, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners John Mauro, Port Townsend City Manager Port Townsend Planning Commission Port Townsend Arts Commission Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Teresa Verraes, Director Northwind Art, Port Townsend Centrum.org <http://Centrum.org> , Multi-Discipline Creative Arts Organization at Fort Worden