Additional movement of the bluff along Front Street Friday prompted Town of Coupeville officials to close off two blocks between Kinney and Gould streets.

“The town has chosen to act on the side of caution and has closed the pedestrian path and roadway in the area, said Mayor Molly Hughes in an email to The Whidbey Examiner. “These closures are for an indefinite period of time pending a review by a geotechnical engineering firm. “

Part of the pedestrian path was closed last month after a portion of the bluff slipped between Clapp and Gould Streets.

The movement that occurred Friday happened in a different section of the bluff.

This is the third significant movement in the area since 2013. The slide in 2013 prompted the town to pay for an engineering study and change the road to a one-way. Other changes to the road were also in planning. At the time, engineers warned that additional sloughing of the bluff would occur.

During a Town Council workshop Thursday afternoon, staff and council discussed capital project priorities including modifications to Front Street to address the bluff erosion.

The town already has about $15,000 budgeted for the project, but Hughes said Thursday those funds would barely cover the cost of putting a fence along the road.

Other mitigation changes discussed in the past include moving the pedestrian walkway in further and restriping the road so vehicles drive on the side furthest from the bluff.

“Following professional review of the situation, the town will be looking into the possible options that may be available for this area,” Hughes said Friday evening.