Water and Freight Projects on Agenda for Joint Meeting in Port Angeles

A proposed water-system connection, wastewater improvements and a freight route linking Fairchild International Airport with U.S. Highway 101 will bring four local governing bodies together Monday, Oct. 26, in Port Angeles.

The Port Angeles City Council and commissioners from Clallam County, the Port of Port Angeles and Clallam County Public Utility District will meet from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Field Arts & Events Hall, 201 W. Front St.

The joint work session will focus on infrastructure in central Clallam County and projects requiring coordination among the agencies. Officials also will discuss the availability of Opportunity Fund money and potential future projects.

Among the projects is a proposed connection between the PUD and city water systems. The Port Angeles water transmission intertie project includes replacing a main beneath Ennis Creek that dates to the 1970s and links the PUD’s system off Mount Angeles Road with the rest of its Port Angeles Composite Water System.

The PUD’s July 23 project update describes about 3,500 feet of replacement transmission and distribution mains in the eastern urban growth area, plus 1,000 feet of new water main along Brown Road.

At the time of that update, the project was at the 30 percent design stage and the district was seeking construction funding. The PUD anticipated construction from mid-2027 through 2028 if it secured the money.

On the west side of Port Angeles, officials will discuss Dry Creek water challenges, Edgewood Drive planning and the Tumwater/Highway 101 interchange. The agenda also calls for coordination with the state Department of Transportation on a freight connector between Fairchild International Airport and Highway 101.

Wastewater discussions will include updates on the Lower Elwha project and the A Street Basin project. A separate agenda item addresses how utilities could be organized and services provided over the long term.

The agencies also will discuss a joint public safety facility and fuel depot, and receive updates on the airport and the PUD’s Port Angeles Operations Center. The Olympic Discovery Trail, legislative priorities and a Port Angeles School District update are among the other scheduled topics.

Public comment periods are scheduled before and after the work session. Residents can attend at Field Hall or join through Zoom using webinar ID 883 6444 5069. Telephone access is available at 253-215-8782 with the same meeting ID.