U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen wrangled $200,000 into the federal spending bill to help Oak Harbor fund a project to move a pair of waterlines near Deception Pass.
Mary Owens, assistant to Mayor Patty Cohen, said the mayor keeps in close contact with state and national legislators, and discussed the waterline project with Larsen.
“The city is very appreciative of the funding received through Rep. Rick Larsen’s office,” Cohen said. “This will have a direct benefit for Oak Harbor citizens and the Navy. Without funding assistance on this highway safety project, the city would have to rely on bonding for the cost difference and passing those costs onto the rate payers.”
Still, Oak Harbor engineer Eric Johnston said the city must come up with a lot of money on its own to fund the entire $1.2 million project. Luckily, the state Public Works Board has recommended that Oak Harbor receive an $850,000 loan at a interest rate of 0.5 percent over 20 years.
The waterlines have to be moved because the Washington State Department of Transportation is doing a safety improvement project on Highway 20 from Deception Pass bridge to Troxell Road. The state plans to begin construction next spring. The grade of the road will be lowered by as much as 16 feet in the area near the bridge to improve lines of sight. That means the 10-inch and 24-inch water pipes, which run along the highway, would be up in the air if they weren’t re-located.
Nearly a third of Island County residents rely on the lines for their drinking water. Oak Harbor buys water from Anacortes, which runs a treatment plant on the Skagit River. The water travels in lines along Highway 20, and underneath the bridge, all the way to the city. The Navy base, in turn, buys a portion of the water from the city of Oak Harbor.
“This $200,000 will go a long way in ensuring a safe and secure drinking water supply for Oak Harbor, NAS Whidbey and our North Whidbey communities,” Larsen said.
Johnston said city officials are negotiating with the Navy to fund a portion of the project cost. The Navy might pay less, however, because of the $200,000 Larsen has secured for the city. After all, it’s all federal money.
The city is also waiting for the state legislature to reconvene and approve the city’s $850,000 Public Works Trust Fund loan. Johnston said the Public Works Board has put Oak Harbor on the list of recommendations for low-interest loans, so legislative approval seems likely. The goal of the state loan program is to help local governments and private water systems in meeting their public works needs.
The Oak Harbor City Council already approved a contract with the engineering firm, Barryman & Henigar, Inc., for preliminary engineering of the relocation project at a cost of $106,000. The firm was involved in the original design and construction of the 24-inch waterline.
In addition to lowering the highway’s grade, the state plans to widen the highway and add turn lanes at the intersection of Ducken and Deception Circle roads. Ducken will be realigned to form a four-way intersection with Deception Circle Road. A turn onto Old Cornet Bay Road will be eliminated.
You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.
