In spite of an overwhelming negative response from Islanders, the King County Department of Transportation currently plans to continue grinding rumble strips along Vashon Highway.

We talked to the county’s DOT director and his staff, and they acknowledged that we make some really good points. But they don’t get the grant money if the job is not completed. However, the grant can be used for other safety improvements that do not include rumble strips.

We did make a lot of good points, and the truth is rumble strips are bad for Vashon. They hurt the safety, economy and health of our Island and mar the beauty and tranquility of our environment under the incorrect assumption that they may cut down on automobile accidents.

Now we’re meeting with the politicians.

If you’d like to see an end to even more road hazards, including big, ugly orange hazard signs and white reflective warning strips, give County Executive Dow Constantine a call, email or postcard before Tuesday, asking for an end to the strip mining of our public roadways.

Contact Constantine by phone at 296-4040, by email at kcexec@kingcounty.gov or by mail at King County Chinook Building, 401 5th Ave., Suite 800, Seattle, 98104.

— Charlie Backus for BikeVashon.com