Dear Spokane County Public Works Representative:

We humbly but urgently request attention to our community road maintenance issue. Green Bluff Acres’ gravel roads are unmaintained and unsafe. We understand the extremely dry conditions have made grading difficult this summer; however, this is a problem that has spanned years (if not decades). Recent health and safety concerns connected to the degraded roads include but are not limited to the following: neck sprains/strains, acute back pain, broken axel, loose rocker arm bolts, bad wheel bearings, tire falling off (causing $2k+ damage), hole in gas tank, destroyed struts, etc. These are not damages to “delicate” vehicles. Damage has been done to work equipment: halogen lights, ladders, planks, etc., shaken apart and broken, work trailers falling apart causing potential liability for work-related injuries, automobile accidents, as well as extraneous and undue business expenses.

Sections previously heavily oiled are severely pitted with potholes. The roads as a whole are intensely washboarded. The dust is more than a nuisance.  Neighborhood motorists are abiding by safe-driving laws and standards and have done their civic duty in reporting when roads have become unsafe–but we will continue to suffer damages to ourselves, our vehicles, and potentially our property and livestock if our reports are ignored and action is not taken. Alternative transportation is also rendered difficult as vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians compete for what safe road space may be left.

We understand that cost effectiveness is a key factor in road maintenance and improvement. Community members previously pursued a Road Improvement District (RID) to upgrade the existing roads by paving; however, the preliminary assessment made it painfully obvious that the cost of such improvements was far beyond the means of Green Bluff Acres residents. This is not only a matter of health and safety, then, but also of equity. Many residents do not feel their tax dollars are being equitably distributed as roads in better condition than ours receive upgrades while we continue suffering personal damages.

We also understand that the Division of Engineering and Roads' mission is to provide and maintain the best possible county road system today and in the future and that user experience and voice matters. Safety standards and traffic demands point toward a need for action.

We request that something be done as soon as possible to rectify the unsafe conditions of Green Bluff Acres roads (N. Halliday Rd., E. Halliday Rd., N. Sands Rd., N. Northwood Dr., N. Greenbluff Dr., E. Vista Dr., N. Greenbluff Cir., N. Vista Cir.). We also request to be informed of equitable surfacing options for possible long-term improvement to the roads. We are particularly concerned about the safety of our children, who will be traveling these precarious roads via school bus starting September 7, 2021. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessica Clements Williams, Green Bluff Acres Community Members, and Supporters (Signatures Appended Below)