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RESPONSE TO STORIES |
Related pagesKnapp: Don't invite people to bike here Failing chipseal will be repaired beginning in May weather permitting | |
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Concerned about chipseal programDear San Juan County Council Members: I am writing about my concerns with the abysmal results of the 2006 San Juan County Chipseal Program. On Lopez Island, the process failed for numerous reasons: substandard chips – way too large and too unfractured – were used, the chips were unwashed, the wrong emulsion was used, substandard application equipment was used, application was at the wrong time of year (the weather was too cool), and the compaction process was too limited. The results have caused dinged windshields, severe tire wear and horrible bike riding conditions. Basically, S.J.C. Public Works practically ruined the roads that were done during 2006, at least on Lopez and San Juan Islands. Lopez roads chip sealed were Ferry Road from Odlin Park to Center Road (1 mi.), Fisherman Bay Road from Ferry Road to Military Road (.5 mi.), all of Military Road (.75 mi.), Lopez Road from Military Road to Weeks Road (1.5 mi.), Cross Road from Fisherman Bay Road to Center Road (.75 mi.), and Center Road between Hummel Lake Road and Mud Bay Road (3.75 mi.), for a total of 8.25 miles. http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/publicworks/Hot%20Topics/2006-Lopez-Chipseal-Schedule-1.pdf Lopez Island has 55.5 miles of chip sealed roads, so the good thing is that only 15% of the paved roads were ruined. The Lopez Community is very lucky that the route of the Tour de Lopez, a big event attracting nearly 1000 bicycle riders, follows only ¼ mile of these 8.25 miserable miles. But, after it finishes in Lopez Village, the riders will subject themselves to a rattling, bouncy, tire eating ride back to the ferry unless they are forewarned to take an alternate, longer route. I have included chip seal standards from Washington State Department of Transportation, which specify gravel (chips) with a maximum size of 3/8 inch; and two other chip seal standards which specify ¼ inch and 3/8 inch chips. None of these specifications men¼tion chips as large as 5/8 inch, the size that Public Works Director Jon Shannon claims was used. wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/Chipseal/ seattle.gov/transportation/chipseal grahamcontractors.com/greenbook.302-2.htm Of course, many of us know that the gravel actually used was much larger. I measured many “chips” at nearly 1½ inches with a corresponding width measurement of considerably more than 5/8 inch. The “5/8 inch screen” that Mr. Shannon claims these “chips” fit though must have been a very “special” one, maybe with 5/8 inch slots, but definitely not 5/8 inch square holes. Another problem is that the chips are not sufficiently fractured, a must for good compacting and adhesion. Many samples have no fracture and a major percentage has only one fracture. If Public Works was trying to save money through substandard chip sealing, it certainly backfired, causing expense, discomfort and inconvenience to the citizens and visitors of San Juan County, and the loss of many miles of decent road.
Dan Christopherson I have lived in Friday Harbor for over 21 years. Over the past 10 years having become an avid cyclist and runner, I dare say I have biked and ran these roads more than I have driven them. Since the chip and seal work done on our roads, I have been hit by rocks flying out from cars as they drive past me while cycling or running these roads. I know numerous individuals who have encountered these flying rocks which resulted in rock chipped windshields. The roads appear to be "delaminating" and cause extremely rough surfaces for all methods of travel over our county roads. The road conditions pose undue safety hazards for bikers and pedestrians alike, and cannot be good for vehicles either. I would like to see the County repair our roads and bring them up to the safest standard possible for our islands. I would also like to request rideable (and runnable) shoulders but realize this will have to be addressed at some future date—I hope. A job worth doing is worth doing RIGHT. Please take the necessary action to repair our roads soon. Jane Hutchison Questions quality of road projectDear Editor, posted 1/6/2007
As a daily user of the full length of Cattle Point Road, as pedestrian, driver and/or rider, I feel qualified to judge that above-mentioned effort an abject failure! The new pavement is rough to the user on foot as it is to a car-driver; riding a two-wheeler may not quite be suicidal, the rough road surface certainly makes it a masochistic endeavor. The inconvenience of some months ago of 'flaggers', single lane traffic, loose gravel etc., etc. resulted in a public roadway that seriously challenges a car's suspension and its performance predictability; it eats tires and regurgitates oversize gravel that pelts windshields, body paint and humans not protected by hard surfaces. The dollars I paid in taxes were accepted as payment in full. That, I surmise, implies that each dollar was considered worth its full face value. Would I be overly demanding if I also expect full value in return for that tax payment? Will the County financially assist me in the replacement of a windshield when yet another rock strike cracks it? Will the County contribute to the purchase of a set of tires some 10,000 miles before these would have otherwise worn out? Will the County right a wrong and repave the road one more time; that time correctly? Although intensely curious, perhaps I had better not ask if the entire process has anything to do with the "Peter Principle." Ary L. Hobbel |
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