PORT TOWNSEND — The Howard Street extension project is underway, with most of the progress so far underground.

“A lot of the initial work is underground work,” Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons said.

The expansion will connect Discovery Road and Sims Way in Port Townsend. Ground was broken in August for the project, which, despite recent rain, remains on schedule to open in early May.

“With rain and weather, it’s had stops and starts,” Timmons said. “That always causes problems with outside construction, and we’ve had a wet October.”

According to Assistant City Engineer Samantha Trone, the stormwater lines are in and complete. Crews have just begun to install the sewer main.

“It’s mostly just utilities at this point,” Trone said.

The project is meant to both relieve congestion on Sims Way — a main artery in and out of Port Townsend — and allow more areas for commercial development.

The $6.5 million project has been in city plans for 20 years but finally received funding this year from the Federal Highway Administration, Washington State Transportation Improvement Board and state Community Economic Revitalization Board.

The project plans outline a throughway for bikes and pedestrians and will be hosting at least one expanding business: the Mt. Townsend Creamery.

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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.