State Funds Road Projects on Orcas

Stormwater and Public Works road funds for Prune Alley also receive state money

— by Margie Doyle —

Parked cars increase traffic danger on Orcas Road by the ferry landing

In addition to the $1.4M granted to Orcas Island Public Library for its expansion project, the Washington State Legislature has funded some $760,000 for the Orcas Island Park and Ride lot near the ferry terminal and $350,000 for Mackaye Harbor Road on Lopez Island.

County Councilman Rick Hughes said, “Last week was a great week for Orcas when the state capital budget was finalized.”

The Park and Ride 5-acre property above the WSF vehicle staging lot at the Orcas ferry landing is owned by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). It had been purchased for ferry parking by Washington State Ferries (WSF), but they didn’t get the funds needed to develop it.

The county plans to lease the property from WSDOT and put in parking in clustered “pods” that fit into the landscape curves in order to keep the trees that are growing there, Hughes says. The parking will be used for:

• outer-island ferry parking
• long-term ferry parking
• general short-term parking (now creating a hazard on Orcas Road)

Hughes also mentioned possibilities at the park and ride property for:

• electric charging stations
• rental car pick-up and drop-off

It will take another 12-18 months of planning and public process before actual work can begin, Hughes says.

Curbs and sidewalks will protect pedestrians along Prune Alley with the Streetscape Plan

In other Orcas ferry terminal news, Hughes said that WSF is investing in the building formerly housing Russell’s Store at the west side of the ferry dock. Plans are for it to be used as a terminal office and waiting area with ADA access from Orcas Road cut into the bank. WSF will rent the property from the county on a long-term lease.

Also last week, the county was informed that it had been awarded $243,000 from the State Department of Ecology for stormwater improvements along Eastsound’s Prune Alley. Those funds will go into the Public Works Road Fund, and with additional grants, the completion of segments of the Prune Alley Streetscape for curbs, sidewalks and gutters can be completed.