— from Moriah and Daniel Armstrong —
On Wednesday, as an Orcas Coop member, I was quite surprised to open an email from the coop encouraging folks to sign the “Preserve, Not Pave” petition regarding Dolphin Bay Road. I live on Dolphin Bay Road and am sincerely hoping that the planned section will be chip sealed. After expressing my dismay at this inappropriate use of the coop membership mailing, Learner graciously apologized and will be reviewing “Coop” policy with the board regarding the most appropriate use of advocacy via the membership mailing. He also allowed me send a rebuttal to that petition which I deeply appreciate. I love our coop, and I want to be safe.
Below is a shorter version of what I said:
My husband and I have lived for 34 years on Shaner Armstrong Lane which is the stopping point for the proposed chip sealing project for Dolphin Bay Road. We are strongly in favor of the county proceeding with this project, as are many of our neighbors who live on this section of Dolphin Bay Road; we oppose the current very sophisticated petition which appeals to islanders’ natural desire to protect our rural environment and makes a case to oppose the plan. We too love the great scenic beauty of this area of the island, and a safer road will allow all who drive it to do so safely and with a little more ease.
So here’s what we know to be true.
The planned section for chip sealing on Dolphin Bay is a very curvy, hilly road with many blind corners, soft shoulders, numerous potholes and gouges caused by running water on the road during the wet season; it is also seriously impacted by washboard like road conditions on the hills which return almost immediately to that condition after the county grades the road. All too frequently vehicles, attempting to avoid these driving hazards, drive down the center of the road, instead of close to the unstable edge of the road. Consequently, many of us who drive the unpaved portion of Dolphin Bay under discussion have experienced near misses from vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road, or had family members involved in accidents for the same reason. It is downright scary and happens far too often.
In addition, the number of residents who live along Dolphin Bay Road has grown immensely as well as road traffic. This is corroborated by the San Juan County data collected in 2007 which shows that the traffic on the northern portion averaged 468 vehicles/day and is comparable to Deer Harbor Road between Orcas Road and Westsound, West Beach Road, and Doe Bay Road, all of which have been paved for many decades.
Finally, driving on a road that is either slippery and muddy, or impacted by washboard and small gullies also increases the likelihood of accidents even as folks are doing their best to remain on the right side of the road.
Truly Dolphin Bay Road is a scenic drive, but it will remain so even if it is chip sealed, as is true of most of our island! A chip sealed road will provide adequate width with secure edges, and drivers will be able to remain on the proper side of the road as they drive
Because the Petition to Preserve, Not Pave Dolphin Bay will undoubtedly be presented at the County Council meeting on Tuesday, February 4, with over 450 signatures, most of them from islanders who do not live on this unpaved section of Dolphin Bay Road, we are also asking islanders who agree that the planned chip sealing of the section of Dolphin Bay Road should be completed to improve its safety to please contact our county commissioners before Tuesday, February 9. Their emails are: Rickh@sanjuanco.com; Jamies@sanjuanco.com; and bobja@sanjuanco.com.
We are also asking any islanders who have already electronically signed the ”Petition to Preserve, Not Pave” Dolphin Bay Road and who now wish to withdraw their support due to a clearer understanding of the safety issues, please let the county commissioners know this too.
On behalf of many of the 18 residents on Shaner Armstrong Lane and many who live on other parts of the unpaved Dolphin Bay Road,
Moriah and Daniel Armstrong
To all who are concerned about the paving of the Dolphin Bay Road, you should examine the plans for the extent of straightening out of the horizontal and vertical curves in the road. On The West Side Scenic Road on San Juan Island we had to struggle with Public Works to keep them from making a “parkway”, and to strictly keep the alignment of the old road. We practically had names for the various big trees, rocks, and bluffs that we saved from the bulldozers.
Mr. Starr,
I assume because you are our past commissioner, you know something that the rest of us do not know by your comment.
Where have you seen “the plans for the extent of straightening out of the horizontal and vertical curves in the road”, please? Many of the rest of us were not aware there were any such plans. Where are they available to view?
I have not seen the plans, nor do I know if they have even been engineered yet. I am merely urging all of you to get involved so that you don’t get a finished product that has “bulldozed away” all of the charm of the Dolphin Bay Road. On the Westside Roadway project we had the same “pave vs. no pave ” controversy. I walked the roadway with those concerned, and the Public Works engineers numerous times, until the engineers and Public Works Director understood what we wanted . During those walks we discussed in detail those trees, bluffs, rock outcrops, and other features that were not to be touched. I urge you to get your Councilman Rick involved in the design stage. Hope this helps!
Tom
It is my understanding that the planned chip sealing of a portion of Dolphin Bay Road will not involve any “straightening out of the horizontal or vertical curves of the road” nor any changes in the alignment.
If you go to the County Council Agenda for February 2, the Public Works Report on chip sealing this portion of Dolphin Bay Road is included. I extract from that report:
“Scenic “character
a. A full review of the San Juan County “Scenic Roads Manual” revealed that gravel road conversions are in accordance with the guidance within. No alignment changes or structure removal or landscape impediment result. The only resultant change is the harder surfacing a Chip Seal Rd (gravel combined with 4-5% asphalt oil) provides and a darker shade of gray.
b. Striping. This section of Dolphin Bay Rd will not receive either centerline or fogline striping and will retain the “rural” feel “
Note also that the report includes a photo of the recently chip sealed Pinneo Road as an example of what the finished product looks like. Beautiful and much SAFER! Take a look!
If anyone thinks that the Dolphin Bay Road chip seal project includes road alignment or width changes they are mistaken. Those of us who live here and drive the road daily (as well as any visitors) will have the same rolling, twisting scenic road but with a surface that is superior to any dirt/gravel road. More importantly it will be superior 365 days a year. Even with the best intentions on the part of the County (and way more money than is currently spent on the road) the existing road surface will never be as safe or virtually dust free as a chip seal surface will provide.
In the interests of safety, we need to get this chip sealing done!