King County will break ground on a massive upgrade of the Barton Street Pump Station sometime in June as they update the underground facility next to the Fauntleroy ferry landing to accommodate modern times and West Seattle’s ever-growing population.

The Barton Pump was originally built in 1958, and construction crews will replace outdated electrical equipment, upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning, build underground backup generator systems, odor control systems, and a new underground valve room – all for the sake of effectively moving up to 33 million gallons of wastewater a day to the West Point Treatment Plant. King County said the improvements should cover West Seattle’s needs until 2060.

Community feedback on the project is built into the update as well, including, “landscaping and artistic elements to restore Cove Park and blend the pump station into the surrounding environments,” according to a King County newsletter sent out in May.

The construction is expected to last from the summer of 2012 until mid-2015, according to Annie Kolb-Nelson with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, and they are proactively getting the word out on traffic, noise and access disruptions we can expect over that period.

Here’s the list:

-Heavy equipment, truck traffic, and noise typical of a construction site, generally from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the entire upgrade.

-Ferry lane closures. King County has been working with Washington State Ferries to minimize ferry traveler headaches, by taking steps to “ensure smooth traffic flow (including) timing vehicular traffic in and out of the project site to avoid busy ferry travel times; providing a flagger to move construction vehicles efficiently; and providing a traffic control officer to direct traffic in and out of the ferry terminal.” Kolb-Nelson said the northern traffic lane and toll booth will be closed at the following times each year: October to December: Sporadic, short-term closures (no closures around the holidays); January to May: Continuous closure; and May to September: Sporadic, short term closures between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.

-No access to Cove Park or the boat launch throughout the entire construction phase.

-Limited beach access

-Restoration of landscaping and enhancement of artwork towards the end of construction

In their stated goal “to be a good neighbor,” King county plans to keep the community informed on the project’s progress by offering advance notice of activity via mail, email, phone, web updates, and project fliers. In addition, one-on-one problem solving sessions with residents and commuters can be set up by contacting Kristine Cramer at 206-263-3184 or kristine.cramer@kingcounty.gov.

The 24-hour construction hotline number is 206-296-2999.

For more information, a public meeting is set for Wednesday, May 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall, Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave S.W.