CHIMACUM — Chimacum Elementary School students, pedestrians and bicyclists who travel along Cedar Avenue now have a safer, smoother and more convenient way to reach their destinations.
A new multi-use path officially opened Wednesday as part of the state Highway 116 and Cedar Avenue pedestrian-bike improvements project.
In addition to new sidewalks, bicycle lanes, lighting and ADA pedestrian crossings along Cedar Avenue, the project included a paved multi-use path from Cedar Avenue to Chimacum Creek Primary School; pedestrian-activated flashing beacons on Highway 116 at the entrance to the school; a sidewalk from Cedar Avenue to the Jefferson County Library; and a relocated Jefferson Transit bus stop.
Improvements
Previous to the construction of the Cedar Avenue sidewalk and bicycle lanes, Chimacum Creek Primary School students were forced to walk or ride their bikes on the side of the road.
Now they can stay away from traffic on the sidewalk and easily reach the school’s bike shelter using a connector from the path.
The Highway 116 and Cedar Avenue project builds on efforts by the Jefferson County public works department to create a network of pedestrian and cycling trails throughout Port Hadlock and Chimacum, said District 2 Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour.
“The idea is to get pockets of the community as connected as possible,” Eisenhour said Friday. “A focus on recreational opportunities in our community and access to H.J. Carroll Park has been a huge priority.”
In 2018, the first phase of the Rick Tollefson Trail connecting H.J. Carroll Park to Old Hadlock Road was completed.
Eventually, a network of paths connecting H.J. Carroll Park, Chimacum schools and the Bob Bates Battlefield will be constructed.
The next segment on the public works agenda is a designated path along state Highway 19 from the intersection of West Valley Road to H.J. Carroll Park.
There is no timeline for completing the entire project, said John Wayand, manager of the Highway 116 and Cedar Avenue project, because progress is dependent on funding.
The Highway 116 and Cedar Avenue pedestrian-bike path improvement project was fully funded by a state Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program grant of $880,300.
The Safe Routes to Schools program funds projects within two miles of primary, middle and high schools to improve safety for children and encourage them to walk and bicycle to school.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at Paula.Hunt@soundpublishing.com
