As a member of Four Seasons Park, it is with some dismay that I read the article in the PDN, May 8 regarding the $1 million approval for the Morse Creek barriers.
My heart goes out to the families of those whose lives were lost on this dangerous stretch of road.
But I believe that these barriers will cause a much more dangerous situation.
Residents of both Four Seasons neighborhoods take their lives in their hands daily when entering U.S. Highway 101 from either Cottonwood Lane or Strait View Drive.
It is already extremely difficult to gauge the speed of vehicles coming around the curve in either direction.
These barriers will make that even more difficult.
Yes, the barriers will decrease head-on collisions, but so would other, safer alternatives.
One alternative would be to enhance patrols around the curve, encouraging travelers to adhere to the already acceptable speed limit, as well as keeping to the right lanes as much as possible.
This would give Four Seasons residents a fighting chance to enter the roadway without trying to guess a vehicle’s speed with an additional barrier in the way.
Keeping the speed limit would also address drifting because of design flaws that may exist.
Another idea for that $1 million would be radar-enforced speed cameras, which would generate much-needed funds for other city projects.
Again, prayers go out those who have lost loved ones, but please, let’s put more thought into the alternative remedies.
S. Avera,
Port Angeles