HomeMy WebLinkAboutElwha Bridge Alternate Route702 Caroline St.
Port Angeles, WA ga362
February 28, 2019
Olympic Region, WA Dept. of Transportation
1717 South R.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Re: Mr. to John TeicheM dtd 2/20/19 re: alternate route, Flwha bridge
Dear Sir.
Mr. Teichert is a member of a group that presented an alternate route for the
FJwha crossing- We have Your response to him and wish to comment finder on
- Let us do so by responding to each of your
matter since we disagree with your decision this
comments:
DOT Preliminary estimates exceed $40 million
ELWHA GROUP When asked at the Commissioner's meeting if a Value Enginftring
Study has been completed or contemplated, Your representative only said that some
graphs had been consulted to arrive at this figure. At that time your estimate of a new
bridge was $25 million Which has now been elevated to Over $30 million. our estimate
using the resources of a retired senior engineer, with a broad background in similar
projects in this state, believed the cost to be $20 million for the alternate. This dispar
is too great to ignore. ity
Iii *T Numerous Parcels would be affected and lead to increased costs and project
duration
ELWHA GROUP At least 2/3 of this would be over D
R` Problem NR land where access should not
a The route could follow near the Discovery Trait then Proceed south on
the old railroad grade to Indian Valley, all on gentle ground.
N
12-:33
DOT Exceed 5 years and cost over $1 million
ELWHA GROUP Surely the new bridge location requires an EIS with the additional
concerns of working in the river's natural environment. This was to have been enhanced
by dam removal, not impacting fish during construction and the ongoing maintenance
of a new bridge since the alternate plan requires none of this.
INCREASED MAINTENANCE COSTS
DOT Additional highway miles to maintain.
ELWHA GROUP Maintenance of a new bridge is no easy undertaking in the flood
plane, in fact during the life of the bridge the future is dearly uncertain. The costs of
maintenance of this new bridge are not shown by the DOT and perhaps have not even
been estimated. Clearly maintenance of the 112 bridge is simple in comparison and does
not stress environmental concerns since it is anchored in solid rock far above the river.
IMPACTS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
DOT Negative impact of maintaining the present bridge
ELWHA GROUP Of course public involvement of the alternate route would be
expected and required. We believe that adherents would come forward when the
benefits are clearly explained, particularly the assurance provided by the stability of the
alternate route that requires no new bridge.
We raised these questions almost 2 years ago, well before any money was spent
on a design. We made a reasonable request which has been ignored. We asked only for
a Value Engineering Study. Nothing more. Since that did not occur, the public interest
has not been served and we believe this to be your responsibility.
Kevin Yandi:s�- John
cc: City Council, Port Angeles Clallam County Commissioners