PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING -
July 24, 2010
Citizens Q & A
Q: Is the west side bridge landing going to encroach on any private land that is not Treasure Island Properties? We are most concerned that you don’t disturb our beach or park. [The beach/park is jointly owned private property located on the south side of the bridge entrance on the mainland.]
A: No. The bridge will be constructed on the Club’s property. Roger noted that at the west end of the bridge, the Department of Ecology is requiring that the existing concrete abutment be removed and the beach restored. The new bridge will abut with the County road further inland.
Citizens questioned the 60 feet width of the Club’s bridge tract, maintaining that historical records and their property deeds [bordering Treasure Island Road on the mainland] reflect that there is only a 40 feet right-of-way and that pilings will be installed on the second class tidelands that are a part of their beach property.
It was explained that the road right-of-way belonging to the County west of the bridge and the road right-of-way on Treasure Island east of the bridge are both 40 feet wide. The bridge tract was platted as a separate piece of property deeded to the Club and the recorded legal description states that it is 60 feet wide. This tract is inclusive of all the tidelands within the 60 feet width. Roger noted the legal records pertaining to this tract were thoroughly researched by the surveyors. All pilings will be located on the Club’s property.
A citizen requested a copy of the deed and legal description; these documents will be provided by the Club Secretary.
Q: Are you planning on having stairs put in on the west end of the new bridge?
A: No, that has not been considered, but could be considered if people felt strongly about it.
Q: Will the road have to be changed by the county to meet the new bridge?
A: There will be minor modifications, but the bridge will come down to the existing grade so there won’t be any major changes.
Q: Will Treasure Island be liable for any damages to private properties and tidelands during construction of the bridge?
A: The Club and the contractor would be responsible; if property is disturbed, it would be the Club’s responsibility to assure that is restored.
Q: Will Treasure Island be responsible for future damages to private properties and private tidelands due to the making of the bridge?
A: This question was noted as too open-ended to answer.
Q: Is the bridge going to encroach on private tidelands that are not Treasure Island’s?
A: No, the bridge will not encroach on private tidelands.
Q: Is the bridge going to be one lane or two?
A: The 22 feet driving lane is designed for two-way traffic, but there is no requirement for it to be two lanes; the Club has the option to stripe it as a one-lane bridge with traffic controlled by the signal light. This will be up to the membership to decide.
Q: Will there be a speed limit above and below the bridge (a no wake sign on the bridge would be nice and 20mph or less on the bridge).
A: The Club will continue to post a speed limit on the bridge and posting a ‘No Wake’ sign shouldn’t be a problem.
Q: What is the time line of building the new bridge: permit process, ecology studies, set up time, start to finish how long will it take?
A: Last November the membership authorized proceeding with the initial phase of engineering for a new bridge and all the surveys, soils testing, archeological and environmental evaluations, and the preliminary engineering have been completed. Predevelopment meetings have been held with Mason County and other government agencies involved in the permitting process. A preliminary bridge design has been completed and applications have been submitted for environmental permits.
The second phase of the engineering process will begin soon and will generate the final bridge design and submittal for the building permit from Mason County. The Club expects to have all permits in hand by April, 2011. The goal, provided funding is secured, is to put the project out to bid in February of next year with the objective of selecting a contractor by March and beginning construction in June, with completion to be accomplished by March 15, 2012.
Q: Is there going to be disturbances on land and sea for local residence: cement trucks running on land all day long? Barges parked in the water ways with noisy pile drivers and pile removers? Will there be a curfew time for building of the bridge for the workers. 7am to 9pm or are you more concerned about the tides? Will bridge work be done 7 days a week or just on week days?
A: There is a county ordinance that precludes contractors from causing a disturbance before 7AM and after 6PM. There will be a construction phase during which piles will be driven, but that should be completed during a short period of time. Roger stated he was unaware of how the contractors will transport the concrete to fill the steel pile casings, but if it is transported by truck over the bridge, they will be limited to 3 yards per load. All the major concrete components for the structure will be fabricated elsewhere and will most likely be transported by barge; he did not foresee a lot of truck traffic.
Q: Will you give us a heads up on activities that will cause disturbances?
A: Yes, we can keep you posted on construction activities.
Q: Where is the old bridge debris going to be disposed of? A concern is that the old bridge will be left to stink near our lands and waterways. Do they have a plan for removal and disposal of the old bridge debris that will avoid leaving decaying smelly sea life on the road or beaches near our homes.
A: The piles and primary structure for the new bridge will be built first, with the northernmost side tucked just under the existing bridge; one lane of the roadway will be installed and traffic will be transferred to the new lane. After the conduits and utilities are relocated, the existing bridge will be removed before the second lane of the new bridge can be installed. The existing structure will be removed in its entirety, including the creosote piles. The contractor will need a permit for disposal of the materials and will be required to dispose of them at a site approved by the Department of Ecology. There are several approved sites and at this time we don’t know which site the contractor will use.
Q: You have approximately 250 lots on the island and rumor is they’re going to assess each individual lot about $20,000.00 and hopefully pay it off in 20 years?
A: Yes, we are trying to get financing so it can be paid over a number of years.
Q: Is that going to be an earthquake proof bridge?
A: Yes it will be. It has to meet all the current codes which include seismic requirements.
Q: I saw in the paper there is another meeting on the 24th of August. What is that meeting?
A: That is a Public Hearing for the State Environment Protection Act which is part of the environmental permitting process. The meeting will be held at the Mason County Hearings Examiner’s Office in Shelton.
END
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