PORT TOWNSEND — A $2.1 million state grant will fund improvements of Upper Sims Way, now considered the city’s worst stretch for traffic accidents.
“It’s the most unsafe stretch that we have . . . That’s why it was selected for funding,” City Manager David Timmons said Wednesday.
The state Transportation Improvement Board grant that was awarded to the city this week will pay for widening the roadway and providing left turn lanes, bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
The grant is not intended to be applied to improvements at the intersection of Howard Street and Sims Way.
It is for improvements on Sims Way between McPherson and Howard streets.
That part of Sims Way — which is the state Highway 20 entrance into Port Townsend — has been the subject of recent community charettes that ask residents and business owners to express what they want for Sims and vicinity in the future.
Better left-turn lanes and more pedestrian friendly amenities were widely supported at one charette.
“At least we’ve got the public comment process covered,” Timmons said.
The funded stretch has on-street parking and a lack of control of access to commercial properties, the city manager said.
“That’s why we’re experiencing so many accidents there,” he said.
It could take between two and three years for improvements to be built, he said.
