The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—On May 4 an agreement was reached between business owner Jim MacArthur and Columbia County officials regarding the timing of road construction on the Lyons Ferry Road. The project start date will be moved from June to August 15, according to Andrew Woods, the county engineer.

Recently MacArthur has been vocal about the impact the Lyons Ferry Road project would have on his business managing the Lyons Ferry Marina, and running the Snake River Grill Restaurant and KOA campground.

The $ 1.7 million construction project to repave, widen the two-lane roadway, correct some curves, install a guardrail, and reconstruct the intersection of State Route 261 and Lyons Ferry Road was originally expected to be finished by Memorial Day.

County officials said that due to a longer than usual right-of-way process, construction was pushed back to June.

Construction then would be at the beginning of the busiest season for MacArthur, who says he makes more than 60% of his annual income, in the summer months.

“Yes, detours and alternate routes are available,” MacArthur said in his guest column in The Times last week. “But all either take more time, some significantly, or are on narrow secondary roads. The road will be closed to all traffic traveling to and from Walla Walla and Tri Cities via Lyons Ferry Road, for two months!” he added.

Lyons Ferry Road provides a time-saving shortcut for people coming from the Tri-Cities or Walla Walla, who connect with it from State Route 124, just west of Prescott.

An acceptable agreement between representatives from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Port of Columbia, Columbia County Public Works Department, and MacArthur was reached in a conference call last Tuesday, Woods said.

“If both parties walk out wishing they had fared better, then it’s probably a fair deal,” MacArthur said.

MacArthur said he would rather lose two weeks of business in the summer than to lose eight weeks of business in the summer.

MacArthur said he still has some concerns about his vendors who use Lyons Ferry Road. He said they are balking at taking detours after construction starts in mid-August, and he is particularly concerned about vendor Sysco’s big trailer. Sysco delivers ice and supplies to the restaurant, he said.

“We still have to figure out fresh produce and dairy,” MacArthur added.

According to County Commissioner Merle Jackson August 15 was chosen because the weather will still be drier and milder, and the chances of running into inclement weather is not a big concern.

“The August 15 date would give us a couple of weeks for wiggle room. We don’t want to pave later than late October, or early November,” Woods said.

An addendum for contractors with the new construction date will be sent out right away, said Woods.

Even though contractors can’t begin actual road construction before August 15, they can conduct preliminary surveys, and place signs for detours, before that date, Woods added.

Woods said the GIS department will create maps showing alternate routes for MacArthur, and for the Port of Columbia, to hand out to customers. The maps will also be placed on the county’s website, he said.