Slide threatens Loop Road

Wahkiakum County Commissioners handled a variety of business Tuesday in their first meeting of 2012.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen reported that a landslide is threatening Loop Road. A portion of the slope between the road and the Grays River slid away on Friday downstream of the Covered Bridge.

Ringen said the County Road Department would install barriers to close the road down to one lane while he works on a solution to the problem.

"There are many components to consider," he said. The river is eroding the toe of the hill, and the top of the hill wants to come down on the road. The Annual Road Construction Program included funds for a study of the slide area this year.

"We can address it (the slide), but it won't be cheap," he said.

Commissioner Dan Cothren agreed. The river is constantly at work in the area, he said, and it could impact what ever solution is tried and cause a loss of county money.

In other business, commissioners authorized Building and Planning Supervisor Chuck Beyer to sign a $22,596 grant to pay for new bleachers at the county fairgrounds.

Fair Manager Becky Ledtke wrote the successful grant application. She said the grant will pay all basic costs for two sets of aluminum bleachers at the fairgrounds stage. They will replace old wooden bleachers and have an aisle and handrail for people to go up and down.

"We have a beautiful stage, and with these bleachers, we'll have a place where we can do events," she said.