The date’s been changed a few times – but King County says the “wet well bypass” is finally under way NOW at the site of the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project, which means diesel pumps running around the clock for the next few days just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Ahead, the full announcement:

Starting today, crews will take wastewater flows from underground pipes and move those flows to an above ground bypass – pipes that will run the length of the site directly adjacent to the ferry terminal.

Once completed, the bypass will allow crews to shut down normal pump station operations in order to perform the pump station upgrades. The bypass will connect to a temporary pump station currently under construction. Once the temporary pump station is completed, it will be in use for the duration of the project.

The initial bypass work is expected to take up to two weeks, requiring up to four days of running above-ground diesel pumps 24 hours per day. No overnight work will be performed, but staff will be on site to monitor the system. The pumps come equipped with a silencing enclosure to reduce noise levels and will be placed on the east side of the site in an effort to mitigate noise impacts.

What to expect

· Three days of work requiring the use of two above ground diesel pumps running 24 hours/day, with the possibility of a fourth day if needed

· Possible Saturday work to complete bypass cut over. If needed, work hours would be 8:00 – 5:00

· Approximately two weeks of intermittent daytime diesel pump usage as system is tested

· No overnight work

· Staff on site overnight to monitor system during 3-4 day period

· Flagger to continue moving traffic through site and in and out of the ferry terminal entrance