Guardrail needed for 202
Published 1:10 am Friday, October 3, 2008
With the recent tragedy on the Falls hill, it comes time for the Department of Transportation to make some changes to the windy stretch of road.
Accidents have been commonplace on State Route 202 between the fish hatchery and the Salish Lodge. The road is often icy, foggy and has several blind curves.
The tragedy brought to light some desperately needed changes to the Falls hill. I don’t think it is any department’s fault that the road is potentially dangerous. I’ve thought all along that it is the driver’s responsibility to safely navigate the windy stretch. But then I started thinking … what if it was one of my kids driving in the fog or ice and they blew a tire and headed over the side? I would want to make sure that a barrier of some kind prevented them from taking a deadly plunge.
I’m sure all parents throughout the Valley have had similar thoughts recently, and it’s too bad that a tragedy often brings to light simple changes that would prevent the same tragedy from happening again.
With that in mind, contact your representative and have him or her urge the Department of Transportation to erect barriers the entire length of the Falls hill on SR 202. The cost in comparison to the potential loss of human life is minimal. There is no blame to be pointed at anyone for past accidents, only a desire to see the DOT take action to prevent another tragedy from happening.
Jim McKiernan
