HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-06 Police - Water Service Restored SR 20 Remains Closed in Port Townsend PORT TOWNSEND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1925 Blaine Street, Suite 100
Port Townsend WA 98368
Phone: (360)385-2322
Fax: (360)379-4438
Conner Daily, Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sunday, January 06, 2013
Contact: Officer Luke Bogues 4747
Phone: (360) 531-2836
Email: Ibogues @cityofpt.us
Incident No.: 13-0162
Water service restored, SR 20 remains closed in Port Townsend
FINAL Update—3:30 p.m.
PORT TOWNSEND —Water service has been restored to businesses and residents on the west end of
downtown following a water main break early this morning. State Route 20 between Washington Street and the
Port Townsend ferry terminal remains closed until further notice. Drivers should anticipate the highway closure
to extend at least into Monday.
Port Townsend Public Works,police officers and Washington Department of Transportation crews responded to
a large water main break around 3 a.m. this morning. The break occurred in front of the Tides Inn and Suites,
1807 Water Street. Water Street makes up a portion of State Route 20 within the city limit.
The closure affects commuters traveling on the Port Towns end-Coupeville ferry route. Detour routes for ferry
traffic have been set up through city streets. Motorists, especially semi-truck drivers, are advised to plan for
additional time added to their commute.
The Department of Transportation will not have materials available to begin repairing the highway until
sometime Monday, according to Claudia Bingham Baker, WSDOT communications manager. The detours will
remain in place until crews determine the road is safe to reopen which would occur tomorrow at the earliest.
Portions of State Route 20 pavement were raised several inches above the original road bed as pressure from the
water pushed up to the surface. When responders first arrived on scene they found water running west down the
road. At least one business, The Food Co-op, 414 Kearney Street, suffered flood damage as water rushed into
the building. Several other businesses were affected, including restaurants that had no running water and two
hotels whose patrons woke up to find they could not shower.
Citizens may notice some dirt or slight discoloring of their water, said Ian Jablonski, city water resource
manager. Water pressure was not lost in the transmission lines, so no water boil advisory is necessary at this
time, he said.
444
EDITORS: This is the final statement issued by the Port Townsend Police Department on this subject absent
urgent news that may arise. Questions about the road repair should be directed to Claudia Bingham Baker at
WSDOT Communications: (360) 480-3194 or bakerc @wsdot.wa.gov.