Francis Street Sewer Rehab Starts Sept. 29

A long-planned neighborhood infrastructure upgrade is officially moving forward on Monday, September 29, as the city launches the 2025 Neighborhood Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The work is listed as WW0918 in the Capital Facilities Plan and will target more than 3,000 linear feet of aging sanitary sewer main.

The underground lines along Francis Street were first installed over a century ago using clay, brick, and concrete materials. After decades of service, the system is showing advanced wear, including cracking, erosion, and failed joints. Left unaddressed, the deterioration could allow groundwater to leak into the system, leading to sinkholes, soil instability, and other costly failures.

To address these conditions, the city is using Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining, a trenchless technology that reinforces the existing pipes from within without requiring full excavation. The goal is to restore structural integrity and prevent further groundwater infiltration.

According to the city, “As part of this project, crews will install Cured In Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining to restore the structural integrity of the sanitary sewer main and reduce groundwater infiltration.”

What Residents Should Expect

Beginning September 29, portions of Francis Street will be fully closed block by block to allow crews to complete the work safely. Closures will include:

1st – 2nd Street Block

‍Closed September 29-30

2nd – 3rd Street Block

‍Date to be announced

3rd – 4th Street Block

‍Date to be announced

Front – 1st Street Block

‍Date to be announced

Full closures will restrict all vehicle traffic in the designated areas during active construction. In addition, there will be several partial lane closures, where traffic will be reduced to one lane. Flaggers will be on-site to manage traffic flow and direct commuters.

The city notes that no closures are planned on Front Street or First Street for this phase of work.

Officials emphasized that the project is slated to finish by the end of October, barring weather delays or unforeseen complications.

Community Impact and Contact Information

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and expect temporary inconvenience from block closures and detours. City officials acknowledged the disruption and expressed appreciation during construction efforts. The city stated, “We thank you for your patience and cooperation while we complete this important work.”

For updates, details, or inquiries, community members can visit the official project webpage or contact the Public Works & Utilities Department at publicworks@cityofpa.us.

This project represents a key modernization effort to protect public infrastructure, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and prevent future damage tied to groundwater intrusion.

Originally reported by Port Angels, Washington, United States.