Washington Gov. on Poulsbo ARRA Project

June 22, 2009 -- POULSBO – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, Congressman Jay Inslee, Poulsbo Mayor Kathryn Quade, state Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, and Kitsap Home Builders Association President Art Castle today announced the award of federal funding for the North Viking Avenue Improvements project.

Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $3.8 million project will make this the largest ARRA-funded project in the Olympic Peninsula and the fourth largest ARRA-funded municipal project in the state.

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“Like so many other areas in Washington, the recession has hit Poulsbo hard. These funds will improve access to an economically distressed part of the city and put people to work,” Gregoire said.

Poulsbo’s project includes construction of sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian connections to existing trails and a new center turn lane. An estimated 45 short-term and 120 permanent jobs will be created as a result.

Sustainable design will be incorporated into nearly every aspect of the project. The proximity of Viking Avenue to Dogfish Creek, a salmon stream and wetlands inspired the use of low impact development techniques to control and treat storm water runoff. Asphalt removed during construction will be recycled and reused as new paving material. More than17,000 square feet of distributed wetland buffer will be enhanced with native vegetation to provide better habitat and wetland protection.

Source: Washington Governor