Hurricane ridge to be closed to bicycles during two year repair effort

[MM_QFC!]

i got email today:

Dear Ms. :

Thank you for your comments related to the closure of Hurricane Ridge
road to bicycles during the upcoming construction projects. While we
recognize this will be a short term inconvenience for those that ride
this spectacular road, once completed it will provide a better biking
experience. The paved shoulders will be widened slightly and the road
surface will be improved.

The project first underwent public scoping for 30 days on September 24,
2003. Scoping is undertaken to allow the public to submit issues and
factors that should be considered in the formulation of an environmental
assessment. As part of the scoping process we sent out press releases to
200 media outlets, interested groups, public officials, and agencies. In
addition we sent 70 letters to individuals and close to 300 letters to
those who live near or adjacent to the project area. In response to the
scoping we received 11 comments. One commenter addressed the concern
that asphalt paving was a better surface than chip seal for bicycling
and in fact asphalt paving is what the final surface will be.

An environmental assessment was released for public review on October 4,
2004 for 30 days. It included the provision for closing the road to bike
use during the construction period. Again, press releases and letters
were sent out in the numbers noted above to receive public input for the
document and the proposals for work schedules, visitor impacts, and
resource impacts among other issues. We received three comments in
response to the environmental assessment. There were two comments
related to bike use: one the chip seal versus asphalt paving comment as
noted above and a second stating it would be nice to have uphill and
downhill bike lanes added.

On March 3, 2006 a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was released
to the public also including the closure as an impact to visitor
experience. No comments were received. As a result, the contract for
repaving and rehabilitation of Hurricane Ridge Road was issued for bids
by the Federal Highway Administration. The closure to bicycles as
spelled out in the environmental assessment along with other
requirements, were factored into the bid process and a contract has
since been awarded.

Safety is a primary concern in any decision or project we undertake. We
understand that the closure to biking during the construction period
will inconvenience those who would like to continue to ride, however at
this time there is no plan to revisit the decision to close the road
during construction. Once complete, we’ll be happy to see riders on the
road again.

Sincerely,

Susan K. McGill

sigh... so the gate to the park is slammed right in our face...that's SUCH a beautiful ride...and 2 years is NOT a "short term inconvenience" IMHO!