Bayview Road’s final design prepared

Open house Thursday at Senior Center

On Thursday, anyone who wants to know what Bayview Road will look like two years from now will be able to see the final design plans for the widening of the arterial road.p That day, at an open house at the South Whidbey Senior Center, Island County’s engineering department will show off the plans, which have undergone a good deal of revision since a large number of Bayview Road and South Whidbey residents objected to the project this past summer. According to county engineer Randy Brackett, over the past three months Island County has been working with individual property owners and representatives of Goosefoot Community Fund to minimize impacts to properties while bringing the existing narrow roadway up to standards. At issue has been the expected width of the finished road project.p The plans will also undergo a review to confirm they still meet the criteria for the project to receive $1.5 million in state road funds. Changes to the earlier design include eliminating a concrete sidewalk along the east side of Bayview from the highway to Grimm Road, reducing the size of a retaining wall, adjusting stormwater facilities and narrowing pavement and right of way at various locations, where possible.p A copy of the final plans will be available Monday, Oct. 13, in South Whidbey libraries for public review. Thursday’s open house will be from 3 to 7 p.m.