HOV lanes
Bottlenecking it
on State Route 305
I’ve read and heard a lot of complaints about the infamous Silverdale intersection and how it doesn’t make any sense. Actually, in comparison to the one mile of State Route 305 between Viking Way and the bottleneck at the top of the hill at the Lincoln Hill intersection in Poulsbo, the Silverdale intersection is a stroke of genius.
Before widening the two-lane road to a four lane, it would take about 20 minutes to get from Coast Hardware to the Bond Road intersection due to the heavy traffic.
With the “improvements” and addition of a “much needed” diamond lane it now takes 18 minutes. Ten of those minutes are spent on Seventh Avenue waiting in line for the light at the intersection at Highway 3.
The turn signal lights on all the intersections take two and one-half minutes to turn green for 20 seconds. There is almost always a three-light wait and a traffic jam on Seventh Avenue.
This could be fixed by adjusting the timing of the lights or allowing usage of the expanded Seventh Avenue that dumps out at another light, but I’ve been told it won’t be in use until the dedication.
Dedication?
While waiting for the lights to say it’s OK for me to proceed, I’m looking at acres and acres of four-lane highway that’s empty of all cars.
Thirty or 40 autos are sitting all around the intersection with engines at idle like mindless idiots waiting for a light to turn green.
If all the fuel lines in all the idling cars were combined into one and allowed to run out on the ground it would be like a garden house running water.
Think green. Ha.
The long span of the red lights encourages driving infractions. One of which is to see the green turn arrow turn yellow and immediately tightly tailgate what should be the last car through the intersection.
Up to three tightly tailgated autos will go through the intersection with a “fresh” red light.
The diamond lane is another laughable joke. Only double-occupancy vehicles can use it unless you’re going to turn, according to the signage.
So let me see if I got it right.
I’m a double-occupancy commuter in my diamond lane, which is also a turn lane with those long red lights and the autos in front of me are slowing to turn.
How am I saving time in the diamond lane? The left lane of any highway is the passing lane or fast lane.
Why is this stretch of road the only one in America with a diamond lane in the right (or wrong) lane?
Or, when I’m a single-occupancy driver and not worthy of the “fast-moving” diamond lane, how am I going to get from the left lane over to the diamond/turn lane so that I can make my turn on Bond Road?
I’ve heard it said and said it myself many times: “Stupid should be painful.”
Somewhere there’s a room full of planners and designers who need to be taken out to the wood shed.
Jerry Mecham,
Kingston
Hansville
Happy in Hansville, thank you
One of my best decisions was to make my home in Hansville some eight years ago. Beautiful parks, waterfront all around, a spectacular variety of wildlife, and (most of all) wonderful neighbors.
Scores of folks here volunteer to build trails, assist neighbors in need, and turn out by the hundreds for luncheons, potlucks, garden and fishing club meetings and, yes, community planning sessions.
So, with all the really serious problems people have to deal with elsewhere, I chuckle at the thought that—for some—the really big issue here in Hansville is whether speed bumps are a good idea.
Yep, the ones installed last year to keep thoughtless drivers from recklessly speeding through our neighborhoods.
Our county commissioner, Steve Bauer—who may be best-known for his practical approach to fiscal matters—has taken a lot of heat over the bumps from folks who seem to have too much time on their hands. But apparently not enough to participate in the well-publicized discussions that led to their installation.
Some have expressed concern that our friendly community has become “polarized” over the speed bumps issue. C’mon. Over speed bumps?
The cool spring weather gives our gardeners more trouble than the speed bumps do.
I have no doubts about having settled in Hansville, warts—make that bumps—and all.
Jack Harrington
Hansville
Grad night
Taco feed
was a success
The parent committee for the North Kitsap High School and Kingston High School grad night party would like to thank Central Market for its support of the May 3 Taco Feed at the store.
Even though it was cold and rainy, people came out to support the cause.
Not only did they eat a great meal provided by the kitchen staff at Central Market, they donated funds to help the parents provide a safe, fun way to celebrate the graduation for the class of 2008. Manager Tom Hall and his staff are to be congratulated once again for their support of activities and events in our community.
Mary McCluskey
Grad Night Organizing Committee
NKHS & KHS class of 2008
