HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Appreciation_DOE_ThorpHwyBridge
Kittitas County Courthouse · 205 West 5th Avenue, STE 108 · Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7508 ·FAX (509) 962-7679
Kittitas County, Washington
BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
District One
Cory Wright
District Two
Laura Osiadacz
District Three
Brett Wachsmith
September 6, 2022
Ms. Sage Park, Director
Washington State Department of Ecology South-Central Region
1250 West Alder Street
Union Gap, WA 98903-0009
RE: Assistance
Dear Ms. Park:
Recently, our Public Works Director contacted our office conveying appreciation for assistance
received from a Washington Department of Ecology employee: Ms. Iris Aguilera. Public Works
is completing a much-needed rehabilitation of the Thorp Bridge crossing the Yakima River. The
metal bridge is being repainted and the previous paint appears to meet hazardous waste standards
for disposal. The county’s engineering consultant failed to advise the county of the necessity to
coordinate with the Department of Ecology relative to transport authorization of the
contaminated old paint. Public Works Construction Manager Darren Case contacted Ms.
Aguilera and the two worked in rapid fashion securing necessary transit authorizations.
The fast work of Ms. Aguilera enables the county’s contractor to keep moving rapidly towards
project completion. The project is currently six weeks ahead of schedule and we anticipate
reopening Thorp Highway ahead of schedule. The vintage bridge provides the only river
crossing for numerous miles. Emergency responders are forced to travel south to Ellensburg and
then back up to Thorp – adding 20 minutes to all response times. While our Public Works
Director immediately sent a thank you electronic message to Ms. Aguilera for her timely
assistance, The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners desires noticing you of her
performance. We believe your stewardship of the South-Central Region creates a highly
cooperative work environment for the county. Please convey our appreciation to Iris on behalf
of South-Central Region.
Sincerely,
Laura Osiadacz,
Chair, Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners
C: Mark R. Cook, Public Works Director