Blair Avenue Update from Mike Carlson

Construction work on Blair Avenue between the Post Office and Islanders Bank – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s a note to all of you from Mike Carlson, about the Blair Avenue Improvement Project…

August 22, 2014

To the citizens of Friday Harbor and San Juan Island:

This summer our crews have had the privilege of completely reconstructing Blair Avenue. Blair Avenue provides access to Friday Harbor High School, U.S. Post Office, Islanders Bank, Douglas Strandberg Law Offices, Higginson-Beyer Law Offices, Dr. Jerry Wickman DC , The Tooth Ferry and Tia’s Tacos. We want to sincerely thank all those affected by our work for your patience and tolerance in putting up with this major construction project all summer. Every person in our company cares about the folks who work at and do business with those establishments located along Blair Avenue.

Like a home remodel, there can be un-expected conditions within a reconstruction project like Blair Avenue Improvements. Our crews have had to uncover, remove and replace generations of both active and abandoned utility piping, conduits and wires often inter mixed with roots, clay, rocks and other unsuitable materials. It is extremely difficult to predict how long it takes to do this type of work safely and without causing interruptions to other utility services. These conditions have adversely impacted our schedule in spite of the fact the project is otherwise going very smoothly.

Here is a rundown of how we are scheduling to complete the remainder of the project:

1. The block between Guard Street and Reed/Park Streets:

• Curb and gutters were installed the week of August 18th
• Sidewalks and new driveway approaches will be installed the week of August 25. We are prioritizing the Westerly side of Blair so sidewalk access to the school will be open for use when school starts. We will also proceed to removing existing road material.
• Labor Day September 1. We are not working.
• Complete removal of existing road base, install new road base the week of Sept. 2
• Installation of asphalt September 9th and 10th on the block between Guard and Reed/Park.
• Install new street lighting, trees, signs and general clean up until completed for final acceptance.

2. The block between Reed/Park and Spring Street:

• Demolish existing curbs and sidewalks and road base starting the week of August 18th.
• Install new lighting, fiber optic vaults & conduits under Easterly sidewalk location starting the week of August 25th.
• Complete retaining walls starting the week of August 18th until finished.
• Install the remaining underground items the week of August 25th.
• Remove existing road base and prepare surface for new curb and gutters.
• Install new curb and gutter the week of September 8th.
• Install new road base materials and prep for base layer of asphalt starting the week of September 22nd.
• Install base layer of asphalt the week of September 29. Due to complications in the placement of asphalt pavement during cooler weather we have decided to defer placing the final layer of pavement on this block until next spring as soon as warm weather conditions permit.
• Install new street lighting, trees, signs and general clean up until completed for final acceptance.

We recognize the inconvenience this project has caused the folks in our community who use this important section of road. Therefore we are all working overtime to deliver the project to the Town of Friday Harbor as quickly as we possibly can.

We are excited to finish this wonderful improvement to the Blair Avenue district of Friday Harbor. I am certain the finished project will be a pleasure for all citizens to use once completed.

Thank You,
Mike Carlson, President
Mike Carlson Enterprises Inc.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.