Isn’t this just a way to bypass the Belfair Bypass Project?
Absolutely not. The Belfair Urban Improvements Project is not a substitute for the Belfair Bypass. The bypass is still needed and still viable. If we put the new sewer system down the SR 3 corridor, however, the state will not allow us to close through lanes to do any maintenance on the system. The only option then would be to add a center lane to SR 3 that could be closed when maintaining the sewer system. This is one of the key reasons the county is looking at adding the third lane.

Is this already a done deal?
The county is committed to installing the sanitary and storm water sewers because the long-term viability of Hood Canal depends on it. That is, indeed, decided. However, where best to put those sewers and what opportunities the sewer installation presents for improving traffic flow and safety through downtown Belfair are questions that the feasibility study will help answer.

What will the project analysis and feasibility study do?
The project analysis and feasibility study will help the county determine the potential costs, funding sources and other critical considerations related to the project. It will determine the most workable routing for the sewer systems, and present design concepts for the county to consider. It will also propose strategies that would best position the project for funding opportunities. Mason County has commissioned an engineering consulting team led by Perteet Engineering, Inc. to conduct the analysis and prepare the report.

What happens after the project analysis and feasibility study?
Depending upon the findings of the analysis and study, Mason County will decide how best to proceed with the sewer project and any potential transportation improvements.

How much would this project cost and who would pay?
These are pivotal questions to be answered as part of the project analysis and feasibility study. Many factors will go into determining cost, including routing, how much right-of-way may be needed, the size and positioning of the sanitary and storm sewers, the extent of safety improvements needed and the availability of funding. While the county has some funds to work with, additional funding will clearly be needed. The study team will be exploring a number of funding possibilities at the local, state and federal level. Costs specifically associated with hooking up individual properties to the sanitary sewer may at least partially be borne by individual property owners.

How soon could this project be built?
Right now the thought is to construct the project in phases over several years. However, the hope is that we could get much of it done before spring of 2007. Much of that will depend on the availability of funding.

The project proposes to hook Belfair’s new sanitary sewer system up the North Bay/Case Inlet Regional Water Reclamation facility. Why doesn’t Belfair get their own treatment facility?
Though the North Bay/Case Inlet facility is located in Allyn, the reclamation facility there is a regional county facility, designed and built to serve the sewer needs of the broader area, including Belfair. There is ample capacity to serve the needs of both communities, and doing so would be more economical for both communities.

Won’t traffic be a mess during construction?
If the county decides that the project should be routed along SR 3, then there would be some impact on traffic flow during construction, but the Washington State Department of Transportation is requiring that the highway remain open to two-way traffic at all times during construction. Part of the project analysis and feasibility study is to determine how best to approach the project so that traffic impacts would be kept to a minimum.

How can the public weigh in on this study?
We had a good turnout at the open house June 28. We really appreciated the insights and observations the public shared with us. The intent there was to collect the ideas and questions the public feels the study team should be considering as they pursue the project analysis and feasibility study. The public will also have the opportunity to review and comment on the completed study, which is expected to be finished toward the end of the year. In the meantime, members of the public can also share their thoughts with the citizens advisory committee Mason County has established to provide ongoing input to the technical team. The members of the committee are as follows: