Excellent Meetings held with top level King County Officials!

November 12, 2008:  Avondale Committee members met with top level King County staff at the Avondale Bible Church to explore options to improve safety and mitigate noise.  Linda Dougherty, KC Roads Division Director and Harold Taniguchi, KC Transportation Director provided technical and budgetary information about resurfacing options.  We discussed and evaluated the County’s proposal to do a “Pilot Program” in 2009 which would involve doing extensive preparation work and an overlay on 300 feet of Avondale.  The Roads Division has inserted estimated funding of $284,000 for this project in the current budget while options are being evaluated and refined.  Walter Scott, the asphalt rubber (AR) advocate who was instrumental in obtaining the 520 AR test patch, described the advantages of using AR and success rates in Arizona and other states.  Christine Jensen, Policy Director for Kathy Lambert attended and confirmed the support of their office for Avondale improvements.  Nancy Stafford of the Upper Bear Creek Community Council offered helpful history on prior efforts to repair the road.  The 2-hour meeting was very productive and a fine example of teamwork between the County and the community.

November 14, 2008:  After hearing the Avondale Committee present their case for road improvements at  his Joint Forum held October 28th, King County Executive Ron Sims asked to meet with the Avondale Committee about their concerns.  We had an extremely positive and productive meeting in Executive Sims’ office in the Columbia Tower.  All the attendees of the November 12th meeting were present including Linda Dougherty, KC Roads Division Director and Harold Taniguchi, KC Transportation Director, along with King County Deputy Executive, Sheryl Whitney.  After reviewing noise and safety concerns, technical options, the Pilot Program, an AR overview by Walter Scott and the budget, Executive Sims asked to see budgetary estimates for completing a longer segment of the road.  The Avondale Committee stressed the desire to complete the project in one phase to save cost and delays (rather than do an initial Pilot Program).  We are very appreciative of the time and efforts devoted by King County staff members in researching and evaluating the various options and to Executive Sims for providing a leadership role in finding a solution.  We are currently waiting to hear from the County about cost estimates and the feasibility of doing a longer “test area”.  We are very encouraged by the response of the County and their willingness to work with the community!

The County is also exploring installation of permanent speed radar signs which will flash when you are above the speed limit. Research has shown the slower you drive, the quieter and safer it is.