What’s next for Public Works? Council reviews future projects

San Juan County is once again reviewing the Public Works Department’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Annual Construction Program (ACP). The TIP guides the Public Works Department as it manages new and ongoing projects over a six-year period, while the ACP outlines projects scheduled for the first year of the TIP.

During the September 9 and 23 meetings, the County Council reviewed the listed projects and set a public hearing for October 21 where the community is invited to provide feedback. The TIP and ACP were presented to the Planning Commission on September 19, where it was recommended for adoption. The Council also reviewed the ACP, TIP, Priority Array, as well as required reports again on October 7.

Background

The TIP is revised at least once per year, adapting to the priorities of the County, project development, and the availability of funding. Projects at varying stages of development are listed in the TIP and may not reach the construction phase upon further research or evaluation of shifting priorities. Projects listed and approved by Council on the TIP will be included in the County’s Road Fund budget.

2026 Annual Construction Program Overview

The Draft ACP for 2026 includes eight projects, five of which are marine facility projects that include three emergency repairs. All projects listed in the ACP have individual project summaries in the TIP, with descriptions of the proposed work, vicinity maps, and site photos.

Projects on the ACP include:

• Agate Beach County Park Rd Relocation
• Orcas Landing Float Repairs
• Orcas Landing Sheriffs Float Repairs
• Madrona Point / Eastsound Marine Facility Repairs
• Hunter Bay Marine Facility
• Griffin Bay Marine Facility
• Annual Gravel Road Conversions
• Miscellaneous Unspecified Projects

To view the draft Annual Construction Program (ACP), 6 Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and the long-range Priority Array on the Public Works website, visit: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/309/County-Roads. The draft documents are subject to change based on feedback from Council, the Planning Commission, and staff.

2026-2031 TIP Project Overviews:

The TIP features projects from each district, including our ferry-served residents on San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Islands, as well as our outer island communities. These projects seek to improve our roads and marine facilities.  The TIP includes the County’s annual gravel road conversion program and makes provisions for emergent, unspecified projects. Find a brief overview of a few key projects listed in the TIP below:

District 1

San Juan Island

• Pear Point Rd Sidewalk: Complete a safe pedestrian route from the Town to the Port of Friday Harbor at Jackson’s Beach, and Island Rec at the Lafarge Open Space. The sidewalk will be an extension of the one already installed on Argyle Ave.
• Griffin Bay Marine Facility: Install a ramp and provide a permanent barge landing site.  

District 2

Orcas Island

• Orcas Landing Float Repairs and Orcas Landing Sheriffs Float Repairs: Without critical repairs, these facilities will not remain open.
  • West Sound Marine Facility: Remove eleven creosote-treated timber piles and cross-bracing to replace them with eight new galvanized steel pipe piles. Replace the two existing floats with a single heavy duty timber float with foam-filled HDPE floatation drums and high-traction fiberglass grate deck. And finally, install new aluminum gangway.
  • Orcas Landing Marine Facility: Continuing to update the marine facility with pier reconstruction to improve connection to the public float and Sheriff dock.

District 3

Lopez Island

• Agate Beach County Park Rd Relocation: Relocate the county road inland in response to increased coastal erosion. This project will also restore two-way traffic to Mackaye Habror Rd.
• Center Rd Improvements: Widen the roadway to include shoulders, reconstruct curves and super-elevations, and improve both intersections, all to meet current county road standards.
• Hunter Bay Marine Facility: Repair or replace the existing pier, gangway, float, and creosote piles. 

Shaw Island 

• Blind Bay Rd Improvements: Roadway geometry, improving sight distance, and circulation improvements near the WSF Terminal on Shaw.
• Blind Bay Rd Stabilization: Ensuring roadway infrastructure is stable through sections of coastal erosion along Blind Bay Rd that provides the only access to ferry service for Shaw.

The priority array for each district outlines long-range projects that the county continues to monitor and prioritize annually. That includes culvert replacements and road improvements. The Public Works Department is eager to begin this next phase of projects as it continues its mission of providing safe and accessible infrastructure for the islands. View the draft TIP, Priority Array, and ACP on the Public Works website https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/309/County-Roads.

Contact: Jesse Douglas-Seitz, Deputy Public Works Director, jessed@sanjuancountywa.gov

About San Juan County’s Public Works Department    

San Juan County’s Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Public Works Department, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/277/Public-Works .