HomeMy WebLinkAbout080222 FW_ Hwy_ 101 Construction vs Old Gardiner Rd_
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From: Michael Deeney
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 1:09:03 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Monte Reinders
Cc: Kate Dean; Heidi Eisenhour; Greg Brotherton
Subject: RE: Hwy. 101 Construction vs Old Gardiner Rd.
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Thank you for the clarification Mr. Reinders.
Yes. Construction delays are certainly part of the expected Summer norm. Although I’ll have to say in my 40 years working throughout the Peninsula I do not recall ever encountering
this substantial of delays except for traffic accidents. Hopefully traffic impacts on future highway projects can be better anticipated with this experience under their belt. I am
pleased to hear you work in cooperation with the State to minimize public impact from projects of this nature.
Thanks again for your taking the time to provide a thorough response.
Mike Deeney
From: Monte Reinders <MReinders@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 12:15 PM
To: mdeeney@olympus.net
Cc: Kate Dean <KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Heidi Eisenhour <HEisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us>; Greg Brotherton <GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: RE: Hwy. 101 Construction vs Old Gardiner Rd.
Mr. Deeney:
* WSDOT never contacted the County to request the use of Old Gardiner Road as a detour for this chip seal project.
* We are currently processing 3 detour agreements with WSDOT for other projects they have planned in Jefferson County. In fact, one of these is on the Board’s agenda next week.
* Old Gardiner Road is available for anyone to use right now, even if it isn’t being used as an official detour, although I am guessing the backups are preventing drivers who know this
from getting to and from Old Gardiner Road. WSDOT hasn’t shared their traffic control plan with us, but it is possible that the way they have it set up, Old Gardiner Road would just
come out in the middle of their closed section anyway.
* As a result of the delays yesterday, WSDOT has adjusted their hours of work to avoid peak hour traffic (see attached email); however, they still anticipate long delays.
* After receiving your email, we reached out to WSDOT to ask about this. WSDOT replied that the use of Old Gardiner Rd as a detour route was not requested by WSDOT of Jefferson County,
is not of interest to WSDOT and would not be a solution to their traffic issues for this project.
* Fortunately, this work is supposed to be wrapped up by Thursday.
* Unfortunately, delays like this or longer now seem to be the norm on summer Fridays and Sundays getting on and off the Peninsula at the Hood Canal Bridge.
Monte Reinders, P.E.
Jefferson County Public Works Director/County Engineer
623 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
(360) 385-9160
From: Michael Deeney <mdeeney@olympus.net <mailto:mdeeney@olympus.net> >
Date: August 1, 2022 at 5:13:45 PM PDT
To: Kate Dean <KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:KDean@co.jefferson.wa.us> >, Heidi Eisenhour <HEisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:HEisenhour@co.jefferson.wa.us> >, Greg Brotherton
<GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:GBrotherton@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Subject: Hwy. 101 Construction vs Old Gardiner Rd.
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ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
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Hello Commissioners,
It is my understanding from Washington State DOT that Jefferson County has refused the State to allow the use of Old Gardiner Road to improve traffic flow during the current road work
occurring on Highway 101 along Discovery Bay. This caused a 1 hour delay in my getting through that area this morning, and another hour delay for my employee this afternoon. If you
add up an hour delay for everyone held up today that is an enormous loss of productivity for businesses. Additionally, I cannot imagine it will reflect well on tourism with vacationers
held up this long putting along at 1 or 2 mph for an hour with their truck and trailer, especially considering the price of fuel. Especially if the public is made aware of the lack
of cooperation between the county and State.
I understand there would be safety concerns for rerouting traffic in this manner, however, these concerns could have certainly been mitigated, especially considering the massive delays
and backups that are occurring. The county and State should be able to work together in the best interest of the public. In my view it is an egregious dereliction of duty for the
county and State to have not worked this out. I understand there is always two sides to every story. I would like to know the Jefferson County side.
Mike Deeney
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