PORT ANGELES — Pavement in Port Angeles has become a bit more absorbent.
The city had 11 small sections of pervious pavement — its first — installed last week as part of a street and alley paving contract near First and Race streets.
The work, which increased the contract with Primo Construction by $11,500, allows for better stormwater drainage and is in line with new anticipated requirements from the state Department of Ecology, said City Engineer Mike Puntenney.
Additionally, 230 feet of new sidewalk to be poured this week on 18th Street along William R. Fairchild International Airport will also be pervious.
The pavement and concrete are porous enough to allow water to drain into the ground.
“We are trying to do the right thing for the environment,” Puntenney said.
“Where it makes sense, we try to infiltrate water into the ground.”
Puntenney said the addition of more pervious pavement is likely but that there are no plans at the moment.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.