Town moves forward with one-way Front Street

While town officials finalized plans to make part of Front Street a one-way, town staff made repairs to the small landslide, which had been closed off for more than a year.

While town officials finalized plans to make part of Front Street a one-way, town staff made repairs to the small landslide, which had been closed off for more than a year.

Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard said the bluff has been repaired and the pedestrian walking trail was fixed.

It is no longer closed off to the public.

“It is so nice to get those barricades and yellow tape out of there,” said Councilwoman Molly Hughes.

Signage indicating the new one-way from North Main to Ninth streets are being ordered.

The landslide was caused in early 2013 by the scouring action of Penn Cove, Conard said. Engineers recommended one of the most cost-effective options of repairing the bluff, making the road a one-way and moving traffic inward.

Other options included installing soldier pilings along the bluff, but that was expensive.

“I think this is a great solution to a significant problem for a town with limited resources,” said Councilman Bob Clay.

Coupeville Town Council approved a required ordinance last week to make the changes on Front Street, but that is just one of several changes the town is looking at in the immediate area.

Other areas the town will explore in regard to the erosion issue include looking at a more pronounced stormwater collection.

The town is also looking at extending the waterfront walkway so it meets the boardwalk at the intersection of Front Street and North Main Street.

“It’s a very popular walking path,” Conard said. “I think we should enhance that and make it more accessible.”

Conard said the town is looking at eliminated parking on the north side of Front Street from North Main Street to Center Street.

However, spots will be painted in on the south side of the road.

Eliminating those spots directly relates to traffic flow with the one-way as well as accommodating any stormwater collection changes.

The town budget can accommodate the initial costs of the project, but any additions will require a budget revision, she said.

 

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