Traffic Alert: Safety improvements to begin soon near ferry terminal
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We're less than two weeks away from construction beginning on Olympic Drive
(the street between the ferry terminal and the intersection of Winslow Way and State Route 305). The project is designed to improve safety for all users and to improve efficiency for loading and unloading of all ferry passengers.
When the project is complete, there will be separated lanes for bicyclists, vehicles, and pedestrians along Olympic Drive from the intersection of Winslow Way and SR 305 to Harborview Drive.
We anticipate on
Monday, April 15, a contractor for the City of Bainbridge Island will begin construction. At times, this work will require some lane closures. During the morning and afternoon peak hours and weekends, however, traffic lanes will remain open to minimize the impact on ferry commuters who travel by car.
- Pedestrians: During the initial phases of construction, the sidewalk on the west side of Olympic Drive (near Waypoint Park) will be closed. As the work progresses, it is anticipated that sidewalks on both sides of Olympic Drive will need to close for short durations.
- Drivers: During peak hours, drivers should expect some delays but no lane closures.
In addition, staff worked with certified arborists and the BI Parks Foundation to create a plan that carefully considers the trees and reduces impacts to the natural environment. The project was redesigned to preserve three large Douglas fir trees and two red alder trees. Fewer than 14 significant trees will be removed.
It is anticipated the project will be complete in August 2019. We will continue to provide updates as we become aware of detours or closures that may impact ferry passengers and residents. Please click here for a map of the closures and detours that may be in place during construction and sign up for traffic notifications on the project.
Staff will be on board the Bainbridge-Seattle ferries on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10 to let people know more about the project. Learn more here.
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Tonight: Join us for First Friday Art Walk
If you're heading to the First Friday Art Walk tonight, please add City Hall to your list of stops. We're hosting a reception to showcase a photography exhibit that documents homelessness and homeless communities in Seattle and Portland.
Curated by Greg Robinson, Chief Curator at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the exhibit features a sample of photographs by internationally acclaimed photojournalist Steve Wilson, a resident of Bainbridge Island and Seabeck. Wilson's career spans from the New York and Seattle World's Fairs to LIFE and National Geographic magazine.
Councilmember Leslie Schneider is sponsoring the exhibit. The event, scheduled from 6-8 p.m. will include remarks by Greg Robinson and Steve Wilson at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Guitarist Robin Kutz will perform during the event. Read more
here
.
If you can't make the event, the exhibit will be in the Council Chamber through August.
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WSDOT to host meetings on roundabout projects, Long Range Plan
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will share plans for a series of roundabouts along State Route 305 between Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island at
an open house next Wednesday, April 10 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Island City Hall.
The proposed locations for the roundabouts are: Johnson Road, Totten Road, Milepost 7.9 (Masi Shop), Adas Will Lane, Port Madison Road, and Day Road. Please note
these are initial conceptual plans
subject to modification. Transit, bicycle and pedestrian improvements are also planned in conjunction with the intersection improvements.
Read more about the project
here.
Long Range Plan
In May, Washington State Ferries will hold a public meeting to speak with passengers about follow-up on the Long Range Plan (specifically the agency's sustainability plan), the biennial tariff process happening this year, and issues of local interest, with at least 45 minutes at the end of each meeting for questions and answers.
WSF staff met with the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) to ask for their input on route-specific agenda items for the meetings. The Colman Dock construction (Bremerton & Bainbridge) is on the list.
The Bainbridge-Seattle Route route meeting will be held Thursday, May 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.
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Farmers Market returns this weekend
The Farmers Market returns to Town Square this Saturday, April 6! Stop by 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to see what's going on and visit with our local farmers, artists and new vendors this season.
As part of the season opener festivities, Deputy Mayor Leslie Schneider will throw the ceremonial cheese at 9 a.m.
While you're at the Farmers Market, check out the new benches that the City's Operations and Maintenance staff installed in January.
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Mark Your Calendar: April Ward Meetings
Got something on your mind to share with the City Council? Please join them for the April Ward meetings. No agenda - just a casual conversation.
South Ward meeting with Councilmembers Sarah Blossom and Matt Tirman and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 13; Island Center Hall; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
North Ward meeting with Mayor Kol Medina, Councilmember Joe Deets and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 27; Seabold Hall; 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Central Ward meeting with Deputy Mayor Leslie Schneider, Councilmember Rasham Nassar and At-large Councilmember Ron Peltier: Saturday, April 27; City Hall; 1 to 3 p.m.
Don't know your ward? Check the map here.
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Winslow Grove Trail opening celebration scheduled for April 13
A new trail was recently completed on the west side of the Winslow core that connects neighborhoods and gives people a safer option to walk and bike to the downtown area.
The Winslow Grove Trail, which is approximately one quarter of a mile long, begins near the Finch Rd and Sportsman Club Rd intersection and extends east to Weaver Rd near Rotary Park. It connects to the existing intra-island Sportsman Club Spine Trail, along the Sportsman Club Rd corridor.
The project came together with the
collaboration
of
City staff, developer Todd McKittrick
of Millennial Builders
,
trail advocates
from the BI Parks Foundation,
and
the
City's
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee (MTAC)
.
A key piece of the project was connecting the trail between McKittrick's Winslow Grove and Winslow Reserve development projects and securing an easement from an adjacent property owner. In addition, McKittrick worked with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and COBI staff to build a footbridge over a salmon-bearing stream that crosses the trail.
At a quarter-mile in length, the Winslow Grove Trail is the longest trail constructed by a developer to date in Winslow. "Thanks to the City for including the acquisition of trail easements as part of the permit process for developments," said BI Parks Foundation Executive Director Barb Trafton. "We are grateful to Todd (McKittrick) for recognizing the value both to the community and to the people who will be living in these developments. Public trails are good for everybody."
A trail opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at 9:30 a.m. near the midpoint of the trail. All are welcome to attend. See a map of the trail
here.
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Mark Your Calendar: Fire extinguisher safety event
Have you checked your fire extinguisher lately? If not, bring it to the Eagle Harbor Yacht Club's fire extinguisher safety event on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parking lot of the Winslow Wharf Marina, located at 141 Parfitt Way SW next to The Chandlery and Pegasus Coffee House.
Members will be serving free hot dogs during the event and a technician will be on-hand to do a free inspection of fire extinguishers and offer any guidance on picking the right one for your needs-- whether it's for your home, car, or boat.
Organizers also will be accepting expired flares and unwanted fireworks for safe disposal.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Monday, April 8: Marine Access Committee Meeting; 5:30 p.m. @ Council Conference Room
- Tuesday, April 9: City Council Business Meeting; 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 10: Utility Advisory Committee Meeting; 5 p.m. @ Council Conference Room
- Wednesday, April 10: Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting; 7 p.m. @ Council Conference Room
- Thursday, April 11: Planning Commission Meeting; 7 p.m. @ Council Chamber
See the full calendar list
here.
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