From the desk of Peninsula Trails Coalition President Jeff Bohman.
For 27 years, progress toward completing the Olympic Discovery Trail has often seemed to move inch by inch and bit by bit. But persistent hard work by volunteers and jurisdictions has resulted in the occasional major achievement, moments when we can truly say, “Wow, that’s a Big Deal!”
Dungeness River Bridge Replacement
Work is nearing completion on the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s replacement of the Dungeness River trestle that was blown out by flooding in February 2015. Construction of the new structure—five prefab iron spans placed on concrete assemblies—has progressed smoothly under the tribe’s direction and will reopen on December 24. Any of you familiar with the years usually required to evaluate, design, permit, and build a project like this over a river and floodplain—to say nothing of assembling about $1.5 million to pay for it—are surely as impressed as we are that it has happened so quickly. This is a Big Deal and the result of months of hard work by the tribe.
The PTC is proud to work with the tribe and the Dungeness River Audubon Center to renew the surface of the bridge and the east-side ramp, both of which are badly in need of replacement. This work is scheduled to begin in February. The result will be, in about one year since the flood, a complete renovation of this signature section of the ODT—a renewal for the next 100 years in the year of its centennial celebration.
Freddy Pink Concert Raises $14,000
On October 17, 2015, the PTC was honored to be the beneficiary of our most successful one-day fundraising event ever, featuring the renowned Freddy Pink dance band. The event netted $14,000 for trail work and grant-matching funds. More than 200 folks enjoyed a night of dancing to rock ’n’ roll and R&B, plus great food and a silent auction.
Driven by the energy and dedication of Gordon Yancey, leader of the band, this event came together with incredible speed due to the awesome efforts of Gordy and many volunteers. We’re even more excited that Gordy is interested in doing it again, most likely in Port Angeles this February. The PTC might be the first trail organization in the country to have its very own house band!
ODT Eaglemount Study Approved
On November 16, 2015, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a feasibility study to establish the route for the ODT-Eaglemount section, bypassing SR-20 from Four Corners Road to US 101 at the head of Discovery Bay. The authorization adds the study project to the county’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP). (Help us fund the study by donating to the ODT Eaglemount Fund.)
The Larry Scott Memorial Trail spans the Port Townsend boatyard to approximately Four Corners Road. The county is about to begin building the ODT from Old Gardiner Road to Snow Creek at the head of Discovery Bay. The crucial connection between those two trails, however, is still undeveloped, leaving hikers, cyclists, and others to transport themselves on the highway—putting themselves and motorists at risk. The PTC’s hands were tied without Jefferson County including this project on the TIP. Now real progress can be made!
Working Together to Make the Connections
It can’t get much better than that. We are grateful to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe; Gordon Yancey and the Freddy Pink band; the Jefferson County commissioners, county administrator, and Public Works Department; and the PTC volunteers in Jefferson County for these phenomenal areas of progress.
None of this progress can happen without the foundation that comes from all of you: the PTC members, volunteers, and supporters. You’re the backbone of these accomplishments. Thank you. See you on the trail!
Originally published in the Winter 2015 edition of Trail Notes. Some content was updated to reflect changes since publication.
