PORT TOWNSEND — Larry Scott Memorial Trail’s first paved section should make for happier — and safer — cyclists.
Work is scheduled to begin Monday on the trail near the Highway 20 bridge, about a half-mile north of Fredricks Street, south of Port Townsend.
The pavement will provide a safe bypass of the narrow Highway 20 bridge, which puts cyclists at risk in heavy traffic.
“This will make for a much safer option to riding on Highway 20 at the narrow bridge,” said David McCulloch, a member of Port Townsend Bicycle Association, who helped spearhead support for the $67,000 paving project.
Jefferson County commissioners awarded Lakeside Industries of Port Angeles the paving contract last week.
McCulloch’s organization is dedicated to promoting bicycling through educational, recreational and sporting events in Port Townsend and works to make the North Olympic Peninsula and Northwest better for bicycling.
Temporary trail closure
For the duration of the project, the trail will be closed from Jacob Miller Road south, said Nik Worden, Jefferson County architectural projects coordinator, who spends most of his time on the county’s stretch of Olympic Discovery Trail.
The Larry Scott Memorial Trail is now about three miles long and will eventually run 23 miles to the Jefferson County line, where it will ultimately link up to Clallam County’s section, which is now heading east from Sequim and west of Port Angeles.
About 30 miles of trail have been completed and paved in Clallam County.
