Kira Erickson reports from the Island County Commissioners board meeting of Tue., Feb. 27, 2024, for the Whidbey News-Times.
Despite some concerns about weather, construction is set to begin on a portion of Penn Cove Road that will soon close to the public.
Island County Engineer Ed Sewester led a presentation last week during a regular meeting of the county commissioners about the upcoming closure of the road, which is scheduled to begin March 6. The one-mile portion of Penn Cove Road between Gabrielson Avenue and Monroe Landing Road has been near the site of landslides in the past and this project will realign the road, moving it six feet inwards.
Only local traffic and emergency vehicles will be able to access the road during the 30-day closure. Officials acknowledged the project could be delayed if an archaeologist on site makes historically significant findings underground, or if Central Whidbey is hit by storms.
They Said It
Commissioner Melanie Bacon, upon seeing pictures of the area, said she was “appalled” that the county hasn’t done anything about it sooner.
