Traffic Advisory: House Move Thursday

from Judy Whiting

Thursday morning, September 26, North Beach to Seaview Street

This Thursday, September 26, another OPAL recycled house will arrive on a barge at North Beach, travel south on North Beach Road, and go west on Mt. Baker Road. It will complete its route on Seaview Street.

The barge will arrive about noon, according to a Nickel Bros. House Moving spokesperson. Nickel Bros. will transport the one-story house in a move that is expected to take less than 2 hours. The building is being moved for OPAL Community Land Trust.

Jeanne Beck, OPAL’s project manager reminds all islanders, “The greatest opportunity for impact on traffic will be at about 1:00 p.m. when the house will move onto North Beach Road. Traffic could be blocked for anyone traveling on North Beach or Mt. Baker Road for a short time. Seaview may be blocked for 30 minutes while the house is being maneuvered into its destination.”

The house is 28 feet wide and may cause temporary traffic slow downs. If there are cars waiting to pass on the route, Nickel Bros. will stop in places where it is possible to let people go around. Please remember these travel times are approximate.

“We are hoping to get the word out to as many as possible that this move will happen Thursday morning,” states Lisa Byers, OPAL executive director.

The residence will be renovated. OPAL is delighted to receive another donated house that can be recycled to be permanently affordable housing for an island family.

OPAL stands for “Of People and Land,” representing a commitment to protecting natural resources while also providing permanently affordable homes for people who are vital to the Orcas Island community. Incorporated in 1989, OPAL now provides homes for 124 households on Orcas Island, and continues to accept applications from people whose annual household income is at least $18,000 and who are not able to afford a home on the open housing market. For more information, go to the website.