The first of two scheduled public meetings gave Gig Harbor residents and others a forum to learn more about this spring’s major $4.2 million construction project to widen and reconstruct sections of Point Fosdick Drive and 56th Street.

Wednesday night’s open-house-style meeting in the city council chambers at the Gig Harbor Civic Center afforded the public an opportunity to learn about the project’s timeline and have city officials address any questions or concerns.

“It does help when people are informed,” said George Flanigan, construction inspector with the city.  “When people know what’s going on, they tend to be less upset, for lack of a better word.”

Not that may people are upset with the project affecting Point Fosdick Drive, west of Olympic Drive to 56th Street, and 56th Street, from Point Fosdick Drive to Olympic Drive.  Plans call for the construction of a new roadway and the removal of the old asphalt roadway. In addition, look for installation of a new storm drain system, sanitary sewer force main, additional turn lanes, curb/gutter sidewalks, as well as sidewalks, streetlights and landscape medians.

In fact, most feedback from people so far has been positive, reported city Project Engineer Marcos McGraw.

The city has been diligent in working with affected business owners to make sure commercial establishments remain accessible to both motorists and walkers during construction, as required by the project contract.

“We’ve been trying to work with them on things like that,” McGraw said.

That’s not to say the patience of drivers and pedestrians alike won’t be tested by long traffic delays, rough road conditions and loud noise.

“I’m not going to lie,” Flanigan said of the traffic snarls the project will likely create. “It won’t be easy.”

He was, however, philosophical about it: “It’s the nature of the beast.”

There won’t be any detours per se, Flanigan explained, but alternate routes to get drivers where they need to go while work is being done.

“So far so good,” he said of city efforts in planning for rerouting traffic.

In the summer months, motor vehicle operators and those traveling on foot can expect dusty roadway conditions, and muddy conditions during the rainy season.

The use of large equipment and the nature of the project also means people will have to contend with a cacophony of ear-splitting sounds and vibrations as the work is performed.

Construction is set to begin on May 18 with a tentative completion date of May 1, 2013.

Most people, at least so far, seem to be taking the impending inconveniences in stride, realizing the long-term benefits of getting the project done.

“It’s an old road out there,” Flanigan said, referencing Point Fosdick Road.

“The improvements are going to be worth it in the end,” said Gig Harbor’s Randy Boss, Olympic Towne Center project representative and broker with Seattle Pacific Realty, Inc. “Point Fosdick Road is so bad now.”

Boss said he came by the meeting to make sure the information presented was correct, particular with regard to the proposed Olympic Towne Center project on Point Fosdick Drive NW just north of the Olympic Drive NW intersection.

The Olympic Towne Center project has been stalled over zoning issues for more than two years.

Boss was optimistic about the effect the street improvements would have on his project.

“It’s really going to be a benefit to us,” he said.

The actual start of work on the project this spring is the culmination of plans that have been in the works since 2002.

“It’s been ongoing for quite a while,” Flanigan said of the on-again off-again project, the result of city budget considerations and the lackluster economy over the last several years.

A major reason for the project moving forward is the fact that Gig Harbor was awarded
a $2.6 million state grant through the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB).

“That really helps with something like this,” Flanigan observed.

The rest of the funding for the project comes from city traffic impact fees and private developer dollars.

Due to the TIB grant requirements, the project must be out to bid by March and under construction by late spring 2012.

“Now we’re on schedule to make that,” McGraw noted.

According to the project timeline, plans and specifications will be completed by mid-March, with Gig Harbor formally advertising for bids from March 19 through April 10 and awarding a contract on April 23. Pre-construction proceedings are set for April 24 through May 17.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Flanigan said of the project going to bid and hiring a contractor. “It becomes my project.”

A second public meeting geared toward affected businesses owners is set for Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in city council chambers at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Dr.

Reporter Brett Davis can be reached at 253-853-9243 or by email at brett.davis@gateline.com.