Crosswalk installation begins in Ocean Shores
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Traversing the four traffic lanes of Ocean Shores’ main drag by foot will soon become a little easier.
After more than a decade with the concept in the works, construction started Monday on a crosswalk on Point Brown Avenue, a project city officials hope will encourage cross-street pedestrian travel — and therefore visits to businesses — in the area.
The crossings will lay a trail for walkers between the area in front of the boardwalk shops and the Playtime Family Fun center on the other side of Point Brown. According to Ocean Shores Project Manager Becky Leach, that’s where the latest number of people ambled across the road without a path, and without safety signs, to guide them.
The city hired crews from Rognlin’s Inc. to complete the construction, which is scheduled to last through May 11 with crews working 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday, according to a news release from the city.
After initial construction ends, the work will cease until early July, when crews will return for three days to install pedestrian signs and striping. Leach said the recess is necessary to allow materials to cure.
During construction hours, drivers should expect one-lane traffic traveling in both directions on Point Brown, but access to area businesses will remain open, the news release states.
Rognlin’s will first cut and plane the pavement on either side of Point Brown before installing new curbs and islands where pedestrians will wait to cross, Leach said. Crews will also demolish part of the center median, which divides the four lanes of traffic, to make way for the middle of the crossing. In addition to the crosswalk, Leach said, a new fire hydrant will be installed on the east side of Point Brown.
The project will cost the city slightly more than $240,000, money that was allocated through the general budget, according to Leach. The city received $170,000 in grant funding for the project from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board, according to Ocean Shores Grant Coordinator Sarah Bisson.
Leach said the city hopes to install more crosswalks in the future.
