County calls public hearings and outlines six‑year transportation plan, bridges and trail projects

Clallam County Public Works on Aug. 25 presented a draft six‑year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and asked commissioners to set a public hearing for Nov. 4. Staff also published a public meeting schedule and described major projects on the county’s capital list, including road reconstructions, bridge preservation, culvert replacements and several Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) corridor gaps.
What was presented: Public Works identified 42 funded projects and 48 unfunded projects in the draft TIP. Funded items for near‑term construction include reconstruction on Black Diamond Road, access and stabilization work at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Edgewood Drive reconstruction, Joyce‑Piedmont realignment, and several bridge projects including the Clallam Slough bridge replacement (1959 structure with abutment undermining). County staff said the Clallam Slough bridge project is 100 percent grant‑funded and a consultant procurement is under way.
Culverts and fish‑passage work: The county and partner NGOs continue a multi‑year effort to replace fish‑blocking culverts. Staff noted several culvert replacements up the Hoko Road and other high‑priority fish‑passage sites; many of these are funded through conservation grants and lead-entity partnerships rather than county capital funds.
Olympic Discovery Trail and nonmotorized projects: Public Works described RAISE and FLAP grants and other funding assembled for major ODT gaps (Forks–La Push, Joyce West/East, Gossett/Waterline connector, and Spruce Railroad connectivity). Staff said Western Federal Lands is engaged on several RAISE‑funded planning and design efforts; one area of ongoing coordination is two DNR parcels on the Forks–La Push corridor where DNR has not yet granted access for environmental and species review.
Public process: Public hearings and outreach are scheduled in Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks in October (dates listed in the TIP packet) ahead of the Nov. 4 hearing request. Staff will post project summary sheets and accept public comment by email and phone; commissioners were asked to approve the public meeting schedule and the Nov. 4 hearing date.
Why it matters: The TIP sets the county’s capital priorities and is a precursor to the annual construction plan and county budget adoption. Several projects cited require outside grant funding; staff said being “ready to build” with design and environmental work can help the county move quickly when construction funds become available.
Ending: Commissioners agreed to place the public hearing on Nov. 4 on the agenda and asked staff to post materials online; staff said they will continue community outreach and return with required documents for the hearing record.