County-wide bike-pedestrian trails under consideration

SAN JUAN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

Shannon: time to discuss scenic vs safe

posted 10/13/03
How should the county balance esthetics versus safety when it comes to road design. The county commissioners have frequently asserted their desire for narrow scenic roads rather than "straight, wide and flat," In light of an increase in vehicle traffic due to a 40 percent population increase in the past decade and the death of a bicyclist last month, the commissioners may be ready to reconsider their viewpoint. Public Works Director Jon Shannon asked for the time to put something together in the context of the scenic road manual which would address bicyclists and safety hot spots.

The safety issue came up when county Engineer Jerry Rasmussen responded to questions from Commissioner Darcie Nielsen regarding Bailer Hill Road. He said Cattle Point Road was higher on the priority list for the county. Bailer Hill Road ranked in the middle of the second page of the list. "It has tremendous site distance," he said. It is safe for "anyone driving safely and sanely."

Shannon recently attended a conference which included a half-day session on safety regarding country lanes and rural roads. He told the BOCC at its Oct. 7, 2003 meeting, there are a "lot of innovative opportunities." to address safety issues while still preserving the scenic value of the roads.

No date was set for a worksession on the roads issue. The county is expected to review a draft plan regarding bicycle-pedestrian paths later this year. The plan is the result of a grass-roots effort which began two years ago.