“You have to get in your cars and drive this already!” exclaimed Mayor Patty Cohen as she made a stylish exit from the first car to travel on the extended Barrington Drive.

Cohen officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in a sunny event attended by officials from the city, state, and construction crews. The construction was endured by workers and residents alike for nine months. Prior to the project, the city researched options like green solutions and tree planting. Overall, it will be an environmentally friendly situation. “I think on a day like today it will really encourage folks to leave their cars behind and get out and walk.”

“It was truly a team effort,” said Steve Powers, Oak Harbor Development Services Director. The project has been in the works for quite some time now, and will help residents get to their homes and take some of pressure off of Highway 20. The cost of the project was $1.6 million.

Cohen reminded the gathering that the concept of an extension of Barrington was talked about in the 1980s, and thanked former Oak Harbor mayor Al Koejte and others for their investment in city planning. “We want to take the time to thank those who had the foresight to plan this. We support their visionary effort,” she said.

Cohen researched the property for any historical merit and found nothing. Construction did halt for a few days when bones were discovered on the property, but the bones turned out to be a horse. One of the horseshoes is now hanging in the office of Eric Johnston, city engineer.

Cohen snipped the ribbon, declaring the extension of Barrington Drive open to the public. With that statement, the quiet road will soon become a convenient route for many Oak Harbor citizens.