— from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent —

Over the past several months, I have been addressing a traffic safety issue at the intersection of School Road and Madrona Street.  This has been an ongoing problem, which came to a climax in December when two students narrowly avoided being hit by cars in a single week. It is my opinion that this cannot be resolved quickly enough when the safety of our students is at stake.

As of today, March 14, we are awaiting a response from the county as they review a cost estimate on the revision plan and decide whether or not they will agree to add the proposed temporary traffic revision plan to their project list.

Below is a timeline of the actions that have taken place in the past few months:

December

January

  • San Juan County replaces crosswalk
  • OISD implements crossing guard program and adds additional signage
  • County Engineer drafts temporary traffic revision plan
  • San Juan County and OISD review temporary traffic revision plan
  • County Engineer researches property lines, right-of-ways, cost, and timeline

February

  • San Juan County Council reviews traffic revision plan
  • OISD School Board reviews traffic revision plan and commits to supporting the plan
  • EPRC reviews traffic revision plan and supports temporary traffic revision plan

Temporary Plan:

The proposed temporary traffic revision plan will utilize one-way streets and construction barriers that are moveable to allow the plan to be adjusted and dialed in over the next two-three years.  

Plan highlights include:

  • Madrona Street one way to the north starting at the intersection with School Road  
  • School Road one way to the west from Madrona Street to North Beach Road
  • New drop-off area created in parking area in front of elementary/garden
  • Buses will use current drop-off area  
  • Parking near log barrier in front of elementary
  • Parking created in current bus drop-off area in front of HS
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