By Ron Lucas, Mayor, Town of Steilacoom
I want to compliment the Public Works Road Crew for their preparation and execution of plans to be ahead of both freezing and snow covered roads. PW Director Mark Burlingame has directed the work plans and ensured that Steilacoom streets are safe and open to travel.
JBLM has started work to repair and widen East Road which is used by both military personnel and retirees to enter/leave North Fort. Additionally, the project includes installation of a traffic light on the Steilacoom-DuPont road where East Road enters at the dip in the road. This project many cause disruption to your travels but is expected to be completed in late April. Safety will be greatly improved!
The glass recycle center near the BNSF station on Commercial Street is off to a great start. Remember all colors of glass can be recycled and nearby you can deposit your aluminum cans to support Steilacoom school student projects.
The bid documents for the Starling Street utility project will be out for bid in March or early April. This $1.6 million project is scheduled to begin in late May. Starling Street will be closed to all except “local traffic”, and construction from Main Street to Union Avenue is expected to continue through October 2011. Cross streets will be open but subject to closure during some periods….the open street crossings will be rough and uneven. A project “Open House” is scheduled for March 3rd from 6 PM to 8 PM at Town Hall.
You may have been jolted at the sound of a vehicle crash in Town or heard of the police chase into Steilacoom mid-day on Friday 18 February or read of the event in the TNT. The TNT didn’t complete the chase in their article but here is the ending to the story…..Three burglars were discovered by the owners in an Olympia home and then fled. The car was a bright lime green color, easy to identify, and was chased by both Olympia police and Washington State Patrol north on I-5. They turned off at exit 119 and headed for Steilacoom down the Steilacoom-Dupont Road with police in pursuit. Near the Solo Point turnoff, one passenger bailed out and fled onto JBLM property. Now for the rest of the story left out by the TNT newspaper …… The car sped into Town at speeds reported in excess of 75 MPH. The driver turned onto Lafayette Street with police following. Near Town Hall, the fleeing burglars then “cut” between two cars that were traveling in opposite direction severely damaging both. It appeared both drivers were shaken badly but both received medical attention and follow-on care. As a result of hitting the two cars, the buglers’ severely damaged car continued down Lafayette but ran up the south side sidewalk hitting a fire hydrant and destroying a light pole. The car came to rest on Lafayette Street at Balch Street. All three suspects were arrested by early evening. Our Public Safety officers were vital to the positive conclusion of this event and the on-going investigation. Thankfully, the worst possible outcome was avoided…..a tragic conclusion with loss of life.
Next month, I will be able to better update you on the status of the Steilacoom Marina clean-up and our/state agencies decisions/actions and I will detail recent action of the Council on the Town Vision and department work plans.