Letters to the Editor

Hazardous road

Attention: Flathead County Commissioners:

Subject: Chapman Hill Road

Meeting held July 6, 2006

I am writing this letter because of my concern for my failure to have all those present at the meeting come to the crest of the hill opposite Ms. Robinson's driveway.

There you have a blind section of road approximately a lane and a half wide.

The east bank of the raod is about four feet high and doesn't appear to have much solid rock in it.

The west side appears to have a significant amount of solid rock present. A double-lane road would allow you the room to meet the oncoming vehicle through this hazardous area at the crest of the ehill where there is limited sight distance.

My estimate is that with one day's work with a bulldozer and a motor grader, a double-lane road would be attainable.

This is a hazardous section. All of my neighbors and the people who come to visit have expressed concern about this section of road. It is dangerous when meeting big trucks and more dangerous when meeting a high-speed, careless driver in a sedan or pick-up truck.

The speed is aggravated by having a double-lane, paved road entering on both ends of this segment of road, and this tends to speed up the careless driver.

Another consideration should be provided for the joggers and bicyclists who use this segment of the road as part of a four-mile trip around Eagle Bend on Holt Drive. Perhaps some type of caution sign could be erected.

This is my pitch for those of us who are concerned about safety. It has nothing to do with paving the road.

My credentials regarding this concern are: District engineer for the Swan Lake and Condon for U.S. Forest Service from 1963-1978. I was in charge of road location, design and construction supervision and road maintenance.

I was also the Road Management and Engineer for Flathead National Forest from 1978-1985. I investigated private vehicle accidents on Forest Service roads. I was in charge of bridge inspections and the sign program forest-wide.

Sincerely,

Warren Hogue

Editor's note: This letter appeared in last week's Bigfork Eagle, but was printed without important information.

This edition includes the road identification and proper salutation.