PORT TOWNSEND — Two men wielding what looked like a push broom linked to a computer on Monday and Tuesday were looking for hidden holes under the city’s sidewalks.
They were using a ground-penetrating radar system to survey Port Townsend’s downtown and find out where sidewalks should be reinforced.
“In some places, there is nothing underneath the sidewalk,” said Ken Horvath, Port Townsend public safety analyst.
“It’s hollow underneath.”
The reasons for the holes vary. In some cases, sidewalks were built over old basements, coal chutes or fuel storage tanks.
“In some places, it is just piers holding up sidewalks,” Horvath said.
Decay has eaten away support for some areas of sidewalk.
“We found places where the iron in rebar had just deteriorated,” he said.
Horvath said the investigation is crucial for maintaining the safety of the town.
“The concern is that, in an earthquake, the sidewalks wouldn’t hold up,” Horvath said.
“There are some places where they are actually supporting buildings.
“It’s very easy to see how in an earthquake, it would just snap and crack and let loose.”
