Paving projects set for SR 4, SR 401, US 101

Wahkiakum County Commissioners George Trott, Dan Cothren and Tom Doumit handled a variety of business at their meeting Tuesday.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen reported that the Washington State Department of Transportation is planning a major repaving project this spring and summer on SR 4 and US 101.

Bids will be opened April 18 on the project. The scope of work calls for three paving projects:

—SR 4 between Rosburg and the highway bridge over the Grays River;

—US 101 from the Astoria bridge through Chinook, Ilwaco and on to the Johnson’s Landing intersection with SR 4, and

—SR 401 from the Astoria bridge to the intersection with SR 4 in Naselle.

The work, estimated to cost $6.3 million, will also include improvements to road shoulders, guardrails, and so on.

Next year, Ringen said, the department plans major paving on SR 4 east from Grays River to Longview.

In other business, commissioners discussed the recent release of the US Coast Guard’s waterway feasibility study and recommendations for tankers transporting liquefied natural gas to a proposed plant across the Columbia River from Puget Island at Bradwood.

The proposed security measures could be a burden on taxpayers, commissioners said, and they said they should try to make sure that Bradwood Landing, the LNG company proposing the plant, should cover those costs.

Sheriff Dan Bardsley said it is the responsibility of Bradwood Landing to cover all security and safety needs.

“At least from my point of view, if they want something from me, they’ll have to pay for it,” he said.

“We as a county would have to negotiate with Bradwood Landing for that money,” Doumit said. “Contract law principles will ultimately determine who pays. Bradwood Landing is on the record as saying they’ll pay.”

“Your point is well taken,” Trott said. “There needs to be a contract between Bradwood Landing and Wahkiakum County.”