Slowing down on SR 141, construction updates

WHITE SALMON — From burn bans to State Route 141 construction, several important updates came during city council’s May 20 meeting, alongside a lifesaving recognition and show of support for slowing down cars traveling through the Pucker Huddle neighborhood.

For several months, residents living between the Mormon church and Bald Mountain Curves have been advocating to reduce the 45 mile-an-hour speed limit on West Jewett Boulevard, as previously reported by Columbia Gorge News. More than 200 people have signed a petition agreeing, and after extensive procedural back-and-forth, council directed Mayor Marla Keethler to furnish a letter of support.

Klickitat County and three state representatives are also on board, according to Councilor Morella Mora. The coalition is set to make its case before Washington’s Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on June 1.

Keethler also provided an update on the city’s Phase IIA Water Main Transmission Project, which has been underway since March. Weekday closures on a section of the same road, SR 141, were supposed to end on May 22, but the repaving scheduled for May 16 didn’t occur.

“The plant that creates or produces the asphalt to the specifications and standards that WSDOT required had their own issues,” she said.

As a result, SR 141 will be closed, day and night, from May 26-29 between milepost 4.69 and 3.82 for final repaving, with regular traffic resuming over the weekend. Additionally, she noted that Klickitat County’s burn ban for Zone 3, which encompasses Bingen, White Salmon, Trout Lake and Glenwood, takes effect on June 1 and will remain in place until rescinded.

Several other community updates followed: Rheingarten Park’s splash pad is open for the season, limited summer swim passes in partnership with the Hood River Aquatic Center are available, day two of the Gaddis Park Clean Up is set for June 5 at 10 a.m., and White Salmon’s Community Development Committee is hoping to organize a World Cup watch party on June 19, but it’s still an open question whether they can pull it off. 

During staff reports, Bingen-White Salmon Police Chief Mike Hepner took a moment to recognize Officer Cody Melton with a Lifesaving Award. Late on May 14, Melton responded to a call reporting an unconscious adult male with abnormal breathing outside a residence near Husum.

“Officer Melton, with Bingen fire personnel, continued CPR and administered multiple doses of Narcan,” Hepner said. “The patient was transported to the hospital for further care and did survive. Officer Melton took direct, immediate and positive action to preserve the life of another human being.”

Lastly, in the consent agenda, council approved a $38,000 consulting contract with Anderson Perry for design and construction engineering of another water line replacement, but this time on Snohomish and Stauch avenues. Several residents expressed concern over the lack of information, potential impacts on private lines and whether repaving was planned, but Keethler stressed the project was in the preliminary stages.