Restrictions are lifted on Washington Blvd.

KINGSTON — No movement underneath it is translating into heavier movement on Washington Boulevard as Kitsap County Public Works announced last Thursday that the previous weight restriction has been lifted.

“There’s been no additional movement of the land there,” said Public Works spokesman Doug Bear. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation.”

About a month ago, the county restricted the weight limit on the historically unstable road to five tons or 10,000 pounds because the ground below the road surface was shifting.

During the past week, survey crews monitored the road for additional movement, as well as completed topographic mapping and a survey of the area. This information, along with soil data from the borings, will be used in analyzing the situation and developing a solution, Bear said.

A contractor hired by the county has installed various instruments at the site to detect subsurface lateral movement and to monitor groundwater levels. Additional readings are scheduled for this week, followed by periodic checks.

As for the closure on Sawdust Hill Road, the agency has received the final geo-technical report and is currently analyzing it in hopes of resolving the unstable soils.

The design phase for Sawdust Hill is expected to take about four to six weeks, Bear said, and citizens shouldn’t expect to see any work on the site until the first week of May.

“We’re working with property owners there and keeping them informed of what’s going on,” he said.

Sawdust Hill was closed in mid-January, after Public Works discovered a 50-foot section along the road’s northern shoulder where soils beneath the road and along the shoulder had broken away, creating a large crack in the middle of the road.

Also, Clear Creek Road, Finn Hill Road, Thompson Road and Rhododendron Lane will have minimal traffic delays through March as Puget Sound Energy will be installing new power poles and transmission lines along those streets. Flaggers will be on hand to assist traffic.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.