Bridge delays
Travelers are encouraged to plan for eight days of significant daytime congestion approaching the Agate Pass Bridge in February.
State Department of Transportation crews will reduce the span to one-way alternating traffic during daytime hours. Annual maintenance work will take place Feb. 18-21 and an in-depth bridge inspection will occur Feb. 24-27. Work for both will occur from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WSDOT says to expect: single-lane alternating traffic on the bridge; at least 30 minutes of additional travel time in each direction; and law enforcement officers will direct traffic at the intersection of Highway 305 and Suquamish Way NE.
Commuters are advised to add extra travel time to help prevent delays, especially for those traveling to the BI ferry terminal; consider postponing discretionary trips; and travel early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Climate manager
Bainbridge Island city manager Blair King has appointed Laura Ryser as the city’s new climate manager.
Ryser, who has a track record in climate policy and sustainability initiatives, will officially join the city Feb. 18. She will provide technical assistance on climate-related topics to staff, advisory groups and the community, a news release states. She will serve as the staff liaison to the Climate Change Advisory Committee.
“I look forward to implementing an exciting and focused work plan to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more sustainable future,” Ryser said.
EV police car
Bainbridge Island has purchased a new all-electric Chevrolet Blazer police vehicle with a top speed of about 130 mph and a range of just under 300 miles.
In his weekly report, BI city manager Blair King said the city paid $72,737 for the Blazer and will pay another $28,535 to outfit the vehicle with lights, sirens, radios and equipment. The total price is $101,272. That is a discounted price via a pooled government purchase program. The vehicle should be available in May.
Based on a study last year, about 109 vehicles in the BI fleet are eligible for electrification. It is estimated that would cost $14.6 million. The goal is for the city fleet to be 75% electric by 2025.
Peace pole
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island is holding a peace pole ceremony at 11 a.m. Feb. 7 at Waypoint Park.
There are over 250 peace poles throughout the world and each one is inscribed with the words “May Peace Prevail On Earth,” a news release states.
The Bainbridge pole is written in four languages of the host site: Tagalog, Japanese, Lushootseed, and English. The Suquamish Tribe, city of BI, the Japanese American community and other groups will be present at the event.
Concert set
Ranger and the ReArrangers will perform a pay-what-you-can concert at Bainbridge Performing Arts Feb. 2 from 6-9 p.m.
It will feature several guest performers as Hot Club Swing musicians from around Puget Sound are coming together to celebrate Django Reinhardt’s 115th birthday.
Deets meet
Bainbridge Island Councilmember Joe Deets is having office hours Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at CUPS Espresso, 123 Bjune Drive SE in Winslow.
Fatal collision
A 79-year-old Bremerton man is facing vehicular homicide charges following a fatal head-on collision Jan. 21 on Highway 303.
A 61-year-old Bremerton woman died at the scene, while the man who was driving the other vehicle was transported to St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale with injuries, a State Patrol news release says. The vehicle driven by the man was southbound on Highway 303 at Silverdale Way in the northbound lane before striking the other vehicle head-on.
Serious accident
A 67-year-old Bremerton motorcyclist was life-flighted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a collision on Highway 3 Jan. 25.
He was northbound when a driver on Ridgepoint Boulevard heading west failed to yield, State Patrol reports allege. The motorcyclist hit that vehicle, followed by another one. All three came to rest blocking both directions of Highway 3.
Patrol planned to charge the driver who failed to yield with DUI and vehicular assault.
BI police log
1-20: Malicious mischief, 700 block High School Road NW
1-21: Malicious mischief, 4700 block Blakely Avenue NE
1-21: Suspicious incident, 200 block High School Road NE
1-21: Assault, 9100 block Sportsman Club Road
1-21: Verbal dispute, 300 block High School Road NE
1-21: Identity theft, 800 block Eagle Cliff Road NE
1-22: Identity theft, 500 block Stetson Place SW
1-23: Suspicious incident, 15300 block Grotle Street NE
1-24: Fraud, 1300 block Wintergreen Lane NE
1-24: Suspicious incident, 100 block Wyatt Avenue
1-25: Fraud, 600 block Alford Place NW