25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Big ferry may not speed up the service

“The Kittitas is newer and bigger, but Whidbey Island commuters aren’t sure they will insist on keeping it. The newly remodeled Issaquah Class ferry boasts a second car deck above the old main deck, and it arrived last weekend for temporary service between Clinton and Mukilteo. The additional 30-car capacity might mean a lot to commuters and tourists who are now left on the dock, but the Ferry System plans to remove the Kittitas from the route by late March, according to Ray Deardorf, service planning manager. Whether islanders will fight to keep it remains to be seen.

“Blackie Lloyd, president of the Whidbey Island Transportation Association, on Monday wondered if the extra 30-car capacity will really speed up the crossing between Clinton and Mukilteo.

“ ‘The idea of 30 extra cars looks great, but if it wastes time you’re not really gaining anything,’ he said. ‘You have to keep an open mind.’ ”

15 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Signal prompts safety concerns

“Engineers are taking another look at the new Freeland traffic light after hearing concerns expressed by the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

“‘We want to create a safe environment,’ Island County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Norrie said Friday, three days after the new signal began working at State Highway 525 and Main Street/Fish Road. The primary safety concern comes when people turn left off the highway onto Main Street. There is no left-turn signal, nor is there a sign telling people turning left to yield to oncoming traffic. Langley resident Bob Turner experienced a near-miss soon after the light started operating. He said when the light turned green, he proceeded to start up the highway only to be almost hit a car that turned left on the same green light.

“ ‘I go and she (the other driver) whips left onto Main Street,’ Turner said. ‘It’s a rat trap there. There’s no special light for left turns.’ ”