Shores Business News
Oyehut Ditch
Ocean Shores City staff, Mayor Jon Martin, representatives from GeoEngineers, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife recently met to discuss the permitting processes and City priorities for Oyehut Ditch. The Ditch is a critical part of the City’s water infrastructure and the City aims to clear debris and obstructions from the ditch in order to better increase waterflow downstream. There are a number of challenges to completing the project: easements will be needed from adjacent property owners, extreme care will have to be taken not to invade the sewer line that runs the length of the canal, and the City will have to navigate the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s permitting process to avoid damaging Olympic Mudminnow, a fish on the Endangered Species List.
During the most recent City Council meeting, Mayor Martin expressed that the process of removing debris from the Oyehut Ditch would prove to complicated, but that the City remains dedicated to maintaining and protecting the 23 miles of fresh waterways in Ocean Shores.
Point Brown Crosswalks Funding
The Point Brown Crosswalk funding was obtained through the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Five Year Plan. The project's estimated cost is $230,000. The TIB funding will accommodate for 79% of that cost, with $48,300 in matching funds.
The crosswalk will be constructed at the intersection of Point Brown Ave and Shoal Street. SCJ Alliance was selected through the procurement process in 2020 for the project. The improvements will include construction of the crossing, two median islands, flashing beacons and associated signage. The project is not expected to impact drainage or critical areas, as the area has been previously developed. The Department of Public Works expects to construct this project by the end of 2022.
