Sumner, Washington is tearing up and rebuilding a stretch of Washington Street to replace asbestos water pipes likely installed in the 1940s or 50s and add storm drainage the neighborhood currently lacks.

The project runs from Wood Avenue to just past McMillan Avenue, replacing a six-inch asbestos concrete water main with modern pipes. Asbestos pipes, considered cutting-edge when installed across American cities mid-century, are now reaching the end of their useful lives. While the EPA doesn't regulate asbestos in drinking water pipes, aging infrastructure means more frequent breaks, and the brittle pipes pose particular risk in earthquake-prone areas like the Puyallup River valley where Sumner sits.

The city is also installing an entirely new storm drainage system along the street. Sumner faces serious flood risk after catastrophic valley flooding in 2009, and Washington State's updated stormwater rules require cities to handle heavier runoff from climate change and development. The project includes replacing the eight-inch sewer main, rebuilding sidewalks and curb ramps to meet ADA standards, and repaving the full roadway.

This Washington Street project is one piece of a $78 million infrastructure overhaul Sumner identified in its 2024-2029 capital plan. The city of 10,500 completed a similar $4.2 million reconstruction of Main Street in 2023. A 2023 stormwater utility rate increase helps fund the work.

Sumner is accepting contractor bids through the end of March. Construction timing hasn't been announced yet.