SR14 Roadwork Update
and how it affects Rally in the Gorge participants
Feb 22 - GREAT NEWS! - The only day thought to be a
problem was going to be Saturday July 31. The Skamania Chamber of
Commerce went to bat for us with WADOT and were able to have work
halted on that day. We appreciate Casey and her staffs efforts to
make this happen. DEuring that meeting WADOT also noted they do not
expect work to be done on Sunday's so those returning to the east
will likely be able to ride SR14, rather having to detour along
I-84. For information on how this affects other days, it actually
doesn't, see why below.
Feb 10 - We received word today that there will be
roadwork on State Route 14 in Washington occurring between March
and August. The red flags went up here concerning our
Rally in the Gorge (Sportbike, Sport Touring,
Dualsport and Maxi Scoot Northwest). A second set of red flags went
up concerning the community, which hosts our event every summer.
The first thing we did was review the suggested rides and poker
run routes for 2010. Interestingly enough we will have to change
very little on that. Because so many rides went through the Eastern
Skamania and Klickitat areas in 2009, the majority of rides we have
planned for 2010 go north, south and west of the roadwork.
Travel in and out of the rally may require an adjustment for
those approaching from the east and we will provide a series of
alternate routes. Worst case scenario here is that you have to slab
on I-84 for 25 minutes between Hood River and the Bridge of the Gods
coming to the rally.
For travel to and from the Maryhill Loops road on Saturday we
will have several alternate routes that will be scenic and fun.
Our other concern is for the community. The State of Washington
is trying to balance their budget, but this will ultimately affect
the businesses in Stevenson, Home Valley, Bingen and White Salmon
causing millions of dollars in lost revenue, which will otherwise be
spent in Oregon. Not a good thing.
We are in touch with both the Skamania and Klickitat Chambers of
Commerce and are encouraging them to work with WADOT and Governor
Gregoire's office to change the strategy, such as moving the dates
away from summer, or doing night closures only, so it's not a revenue
disaster for many of the businesses and community we have worked
with since 2003. If you'd like to voice your concerns along with us,
there is a feedback form at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR14/RockfallMitigationWhiteSalmon/feedback.htm.
We are going to continue to monitor this situation and make every
effort to minimize its impact on the event. Updates will be posted
here.
The Gorge is a wonderful place loaded with great roads. For those
of you who have been to the rally, you know what I mean and you know
we do a good job of coming up with great rides. Don't let a 10 mile
stretch of roadwork spook you. The work is necessary and we're
working around it very well.
We encourage you to support the rally this year because it will
support the community when you do.
Tom Mehren/Winter 2010 |
