Stop the airport!
#26
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Ok. Imma talk out my A here for a second, so please excuse.
There isn't enough population density or tax base in the area between Vancouver & Olympia to be financially viable with out handouts from King, Snohomish, or Pierce counties feeding the State coffers. The peoples of rural Washington living their way of life on somebody else's money need to be self sufficient & pay for the services they use.
An airport bringing in outside revenue so that the counties can operate with out taxing their local citizens the actual cost of providing services or being a drain on Olympia seems like a great idea.
If moving a bike path is the cost, so be it.
Oh, and for what it's worth: This thread, by definition, should be in P&R
There isn't enough population density or tax base in the area between Vancouver & Olympia to be financially viable with out handouts from King, Snohomish, or Pierce counties feeding the State coffers. The peoples of rural Washington living their way of life on somebody else's money need to be self sufficient & pay for the services they use.
An airport bringing in outside revenue so that the counties can operate with out taxing their local citizens the actual cost of providing services or being a drain on Olympia seems like a great idea.
If moving a bike path is the cost, so be it.
Oh, and for what it's worth: This thread, by definition, should be in P&R

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#29
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I always get annoyed when a NIMBY group like this just simply mis-states the facts. "Thousands of families displaced". Hardly. There are not thousands in the area who could possibly be mis-placed. This kind of mis-information always hurts your cause.
I get that nobody local wants an expanded airport. Problem is you move to an area where an airport exists, well you are going to hear noise and it's not going to get better unless some government official decides the airport isn't needed or useful and decided to close it. Don't see that happening here.
Curious as to why they need to expand ?, are they hoping some major airline (Southwest, Alaska) is going to add the place to a flight schedule ?. More commercial ?, maybe ANG ?.
I get that nobody local wants an expanded airport. Problem is you move to an area where an airport exists, well you are going to hear noise and it's not going to get better unless some government official decides the airport isn't needed or useful and decided to close it. Don't see that happening here.
Curious as to why they need to expand ?, are they hoping some major airline (Southwest, Alaska) is going to add the place to a flight schedule ?. More commercial ?, maybe ANG ?.
Did you try the NO TO A COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN EAST OLYMPIA group on NextDoor? They've probably got more accurate and unbiased info there.

#30
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Wait - are you suggesting that STOPTHEAIRPORT.COM isn't providing accurate and unbiased information that allows people to evaluate the proposal and have an informed opinion about the pros and cons?
Did you try the NO TO A COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN EAST OLYMPIA group on NextDoor? They've probably got more accurate and unbiased info there.
Did you try the NO TO A COMMERCIAL AIRPORT IN EAST OLYMPIA group on NextDoor? They've probably got more accurate and unbiased info there.

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That picture reminds me of the story of the Gimli Glider. Air Canada flight which ran out of fuel because they mixed up imperial/metric units, glided down to land at the unused runway at Gimli to make a landing while a couple of kids were riding their bikes on the runway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
With both of its engines dead, the plane made hardly any noise during its approach. This gave people on the ground no warning of the impromptu landing and little time to flee. As the gliding plane closed in on the decommissioned runway, the pilots noticed two boys were riding bicycles within 1,000 feet (300 m) of the projected point of impact. Captain Pearson later said that the boys were so close that he could see the looks of sheer terror on their faces as they realized that a large aircraft was bearing down on them.

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I'm sorry to see the airport destroy beautiful countryside, and I feel for your loss of cycling routes. However, unless bureaucratic steps have been omitted or environmental protections disregarded, I doubt you'll be able to do anything about it.
There are currently plans to build a turnpike through the area where I do most of my cycling, between the town where I live and a lake/state park about 15 miles east of town. I think I remember hearing that 700 homes will have to be demolished. A lot of folks are up in arms and paradoxically it's done a lot to unite our politically divided community. There's some chance of stopping the project because the state turnpike authority neglected to do an environmental impact study. That technicality, and not the opposition of thousands of citizens, might put the brakes on the project.
FWIW, the new road would cut a significant amount of time from my commute, but I still hope it doesn't happen. It would just lead to more sprawl and eventually the need for even more roads.
There are currently plans to build a turnpike through the area where I do most of my cycling, between the town where I live and a lake/state park about 15 miles east of town. I think I remember hearing that 700 homes will have to be demolished. A lot of folks are up in arms and paradoxically it's done a lot to unite our politically divided community. There's some chance of stopping the project because the state turnpike authority neglected to do an environmental impact study. That technicality, and not the opposition of thousands of citizens, might put the brakes on the project.
FWIW, the new road would cut a significant amount of time from my commute, but I still hope it doesn't happen. It would just lead to more sprawl and eventually the need for even more roads.

#39
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If the runways are perpendicular to the pathway, perhaps the FAA would allow a "Gibraltar solution?" Of course, then you'd get someone trying to set a PR blowing past the stop line, and...
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https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
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https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html

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That picture reminds me of the story of the Gimli Glider. Air Canada flight which ran out of fuel because they mixed up imperial/metric units, glided down to land at the unused runway at Gimli to make a landing while a couple of kids were riding their bikes on the runway.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider

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#42
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Log some easy trail mileage by hopping on this family-friendly trail anywhere between Woodard Bay and Vail for a relaxing stroll any time of year.
The Chehalis Western Trail is located in the heart of Washington, near the capital city of Olympia. Once the Weyerhaeuser-owned Chehalis Western Railroad (1926 to mid- 1980s), it transported logged trees from Vail, southeast of Tenino, all the way north to a log dump on Woodard Bay. Today, the corridor exists as a 22-mile multi-use trail, now frequented by walkers and cyclists instead of logging trains.
Bike, stroller and dog friendly, the Chehalis Trail makes an excellent get-out-of-the-house stroll. Not your typical hiking trail, this mostly paved trail winds through diverse ecosystems in both urban and rural parts of Thurston County, providing views of Mount Rainier and access to more than 170 acres of park land, and includes access to the Deschutes River, Puget Sound and Chambers Lake.
And the long span means you can hop on the trail just about anywhere and travel as many miles as you like, with convenient mileage markers every half-mile. The trail also intersects with the 14.5-mile Yelm-Tenino Trail, leaving even more options for add-on mileage. Near this juncture, the trail passes through the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park.
Each stretch of trail winds through different ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, farmland, rivers, lakes and prairies. Views will vary
The Chehalis Western Trail is located in the heart of Washington, near the capital city of Olympia. Once the Weyerhaeuser-owned Chehalis Western Railroad (1926 to mid- 1980s), it transported logged trees from Vail, southeast of Tenino, all the way north to a log dump on Woodard Bay. Today, the corridor exists as a 22-mile multi-use trail, now frequented by walkers and cyclists instead of logging trains.
Bike, stroller and dog friendly, the Chehalis Trail makes an excellent get-out-of-the-house stroll. Not your typical hiking trail, this mostly paved trail winds through diverse ecosystems in both urban and rural parts of Thurston County, providing views of Mount Rainier and access to more than 170 acres of park land, and includes access to the Deschutes River, Puget Sound and Chambers Lake.
And the long span means you can hop on the trail just about anywhere and travel as many miles as you like, with convenient mileage markers every half-mile. The trail also intersects with the 14.5-mile Yelm-Tenino Trail, leaving even more options for add-on mileage. Near this juncture, the trail passes through the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park.
Each stretch of trail winds through different ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, farmland, rivers, lakes and prairies. Views will vary

#43
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#44
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Here in my city we have a very nice and long bike route which passes through Toronto International Airport property. You just need to stay on the trail or else the security will be after you. It's amazing how much nature and wildlife that whole area has. It took few years for it to be approved but I was really happy when it was finally built and completed.

#46
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What would be cool is if the land was bought up by a conservatory organization, because although they might stop this for a while, it will probably rears it's ugly head up in the future as the population in the area grows.
This was done along a white water section of the South Fork American River near Sacramento. it takes a lot of money but it can be done.
However, there are about 200,000 people who go down that river every year, way more than the people who use the Chehalis Western.
"Thurston County-owns and operates 22 miles of Chehalis Western Trail in public ownership. The trail is an integral and significant linkage in the planned 48-mile county-managed trail system. It features four trailhead facilities with parking, restrooms, and picnic facilities at the Chambers Lake Boat Launch, Scenic Overlook at Chambers Lake, the Yelm Highway Pedestrian Overpass, a trailhead at 67th Avenue with parking and trail information, and a parking area at Fir Tree Road. The northern section has a trailhead at Woodard Bay with parking and restrooms. With spectacular views, the trail system provides excellent opportunities for users to enjoy a tranquil and refreshing outdoor recreation experience any time of the year."
This was done along a white water section of the South Fork American River near Sacramento. it takes a lot of money but it can be done.
However, there are about 200,000 people who go down that river every year, way more than the people who use the Chehalis Western.
"Thurston County-owns and operates 22 miles of Chehalis Western Trail in public ownership. The trail is an integral and significant linkage in the planned 48-mile county-managed trail system. It features four trailhead facilities with parking, restrooms, and picnic facilities at the Chambers Lake Boat Launch, Scenic Overlook at Chambers Lake, the Yelm Highway Pedestrian Overpass, a trailhead at 67th Avenue with parking and trail information, and a parking area at Fir Tree Road. The northern section has a trailhead at Woodard Bay with parking and restrooms. With spectacular views, the trail system provides excellent opportunities for users to enjoy a tranquil and refreshing outdoor recreation experience any time of the year."

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The Gimli glider not only avoided hitting the kids on bikes, it also didn't hit the drag racers on the runway. The abandoned runway was being used as a drag strip.

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