The in basket: A couple of readers has asked about Bremerton’s hopes of improving pedestrian and bicycle access on the Warren Avenue Bridge, which would include narrowing the driving lanes in order to widen the bike and walker lanes on each side.

Yvonne Dean asked, “Is there any thing in DOT code saying what the width of the lanes must be?  It seems to me that the trucks are getting wider while most of the cars except for SUV’s are getting narrower.”

And Shirlee Curley writes, “Instead of spending all the money to make a big change, we have one-way streets, how about one-way walkways on each side going in opposite directions? It would take only a few signs and maybe a policeman for a few days.”

The out basket: Claudia Bingham-Baker of the Olympic Region of state highways replies, “Our standard is to build lanes that are 12 feet wide, which is the width of the current lanes across the Warren Avenue Bridge.  We do have some older steel truss bridges that have lanes as narrow as 9 feet.” Nothing prohibits them from allowing narrower lanes, she said.

Chal Martin, the city’s public works director, says, “We did consider the ‘one-way couplet’ idea for peds/bikes, but that was an idea that could not be supported by the grant funding entities; further, it turns out it appeared to cost more because the one-way couplet approach required cross-under structures at the north and south bridge approaches.”

The city proposes to reduce the existing 12-foot-wide lanes on the bridge to 11 feet in the outside lanes and 11 1/2 feet in the inside lanes, to create more space for pedestrians and bicyclists. The center barrier, on which Shirlee says she has seen cars high-centered,  would be removed.

“This lane width is plenty wide, but will help calm traffic a little,” Chal said. “Have you noticed that as you go northbound on the bridge, you are often traveling at about 45 mph when you reach the north end?  That’s because the current configuration is not properly designed for a 35 mph speed limit.

“People feel safe traveling faster in the wider lanes, and so they just naturally do. I know I have often caught myself speeding on the bridge,” Chal said.

Actually, I find if harder to do 35 in the downhill direction than uphill, but the city’s proposal would hope to reduce speeds in both directions.

The in basket: Charles Ely says he thinks fledgling cormorants who are hatched under the Warren Avenue Bridge in Bremerton are crash landing on the roadway above while learning to fly and are unable to get off the bridge deck since the recent alteration that walled off the driving surface from the edge of the bridge. It leads to “squashed cormorants,” he said, and he wonders if creating a break in the barrier would be helpful.

Also, he said, “since they are protected, shouldn’t their deaths be at least tracked?”

The out basket: Claudia Bingham Baker of the Olympic Region public affairs office says, “We are aware of the large population of pelagic cormorants that consider the Warren Avenue Bridge their home. At various times (i.e. when we painted the bridge a few years ago), our biologists have monitored the behavior of the birds.

“They found that the cormorants nesting on the underside of the bridge flew under, not over, the bridge. The behavior your reader is describing is a bit out of character for the birds, and (for now), we don’t believe the pedestrian barrier has an effect on their behavior because it did not change the barrier’s basic configuration.

“Pelagic cormorants are migratory birds and are protected, but they are not endangered.  These particular cormorants don’t even migrate – they stay put at the bridge.

“As regards tracking the birds,” she added, “we unfortunately we don’t have the resources to do that. Your reader’s observation has, however, raised our awareness and our biologists and bridge maintenance people will look into the issue more closely.”

The in basket: Gary Reed says he’s curious about the decking material that is planned for the new Manette Bridge.

“Will it be the same material as was used on the Warren Avenue Bridge that is already deteriorating, or yet another new miracle material?

“I also noticed there are traffic counters installed on the existing Manette Bridge,” Gary said. “Is someone changing their mind about the replacement? Seems a little late to determine traffic flow, and maybe not too accurate with the bridge being shut down at least one day a week.”

The out basket: Jeff Cook, project engineer for the bridge job, says the riding surface for the new bridge will be an 8-inch thick, reinforced concrete deck construction….  This is the standard concrete for bridge decks used throughout the state highway and interstate system (so no “new miracle” material).”

Warren Avenue Bridge has a 3/4-inch polyester concrete overlay atop light weight concrete.

“As to changing minds about the replacement of the existing structure, the answer is no,” Jeff said. “The continued construction of the new bridge is evidence of that.  And just to be clear; the new bridge is going up; existing bridge is coming down.

“The counters are placed throughout the area at this time … to get a baseline reading and account for variations in daily travel patterns,” he said.

“We use the information collected for a variety of reasons.  Specific to Manette Bridge, we continue to monitor traffic counts and peak hourly volumes to work on possible solutions to minimize impact to traffic and commuter vehicles while maintaining an efficient construction operation.”

The in basket: Ann Lafair writes, “There were some flags on the Warren Avenue Bridge poles that honored some of the Kitsap County people who died fighting in Iraq. They were there for some time, although I do not recall how long.  They have been gone for several months now.” 
She wonders why.
The out basket: The city moved them to a spot that provides a better chance for drivers to notice and read them, and where wind won’t wear on them so much, says Bob Tulp, operations manager for Bremerton public works.
That spot is at and near the intersection of Highway 304 and Farragut Avenue near the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard gate on its west end.
“We determined with Lynn George that the speed limit on the bridge didn’t give people enough time to read them,” Bob said. “We wanted them near a stop light to give the public a real opportunity to see them.”
Lynette George heads Blue Star Banner Program of Kitsap County, the organization that has campaigned to get the recognition banners displayed on local streets. Gold stars denote those “who have given the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving,” as George’s Web site puts it, and will be displayed indefinitely. Blue star banners recognize someone serving in the military, who will be presented with the banner when he or she gets out.
“Lynn goes out and gets the money and works with the government entities to get them hung,” Bob said. “When our staff goes out and hangs them on a Saturday, we are donating our time and equipment.” There is often a ceremony when a gold star banner is hung, if the family wishes, he said. A motorcycle group often takes part.
The flags were on the bridge for a year or less before being moved several months ago, he said.
Learn more about the program at www.kitsapbluestar.org or (360) 440-6497