— from Jacob Heinen for San Juan County Public Works —
The MSE (mechanically-stabilized earth) wall has been built up from elevation 22 to 37—only seven feet to go! The wall has now bridged the two sides of the culvert, connecting what had been a bisected construction site. On Friday conduit was placed in the roadway in preparation for the utility relocation.
Public Works decided to forego the vegetated wall face of the MSE wall to ensure structural stability and even compaction. We’ll be exploring other options for vegetation, but there will be plantings at the base of the wall.
The project is on scheduled to be completed on time with the roadway opened up by mid-November.
Next week’s focus will be on completing the wall. The following week will see installation of guardrails over the ravine and placement of catch basins and drainage pipe. Additionally, the final loads of streambed cobbles will be placed and graded, allowing us to open up West Beach Creek.
Thanks to the West Beach community for their continued patience. Three weeks to go!
Hey, we should build one of these to Vancouver Is. and secede from the Union. We could build one to Waldron or Patos and put all vacation rentals over there ..or to Sucia and extend the runway!. One cargo jet could save alot of ferry schepping. We could build one from the Landing to Rosario and save a whole lot of traffic through Eastsound. We could build our own Venice in the Eastsound Sound and increase labor housing and cultural destinations. We could build one of these between the two medical clinics and .. well, ..hmmm. We could build one from the FD to Bellingham and save on medical flights. We could save billions on sea-cable repairs by burying them in a berm along with island solid waste. Who needs the internet .. or Amazon deliveries, with MSE, mechanically stabilized earth! -just drive there. It is a panacea in refill and rebar, why save it for that little crick on West Beach Rd alone? Pretty soon ALL our roads will need some added elevation anyhow.