Kern County Supervisor David Couch has announced a roadway improvement designed to address the hazards of the intersection at Mt. Pinos Way (west) and Frazier Mountain Park Road. The supervisor’s press release is titled:

Construction Will Begin Next Month On Motorist Safety Improvements for the Frazier Mountain Park and Mt. Pinos Way [west] Intersection

The document, which was released just as we were going to press, goes on to say:

Supervisor David Couch’s two year effort to improve motorist safety at the intersection of Frazier Mountain Park Road and Mt. Pinos Way [west] has finally paid off, as the Kern County Public Works Department anticipates that construction on improvements to the intersection will begin next month.

“Good things sometimes take time, and this project has been a long time coming,” said Supervisor David Couch. “This project will improve motorist safety for the residents and tourists of the Mountain Communities,” added Couch.

With several vehicle accidents having occurred at this intersection in recent years, it has been a subject of concern for motorists in the Mountain Communities.

At Supervisor Couch’s request, the Kern County Roads Department conducted a traffic study and analysis of the intersection which concluded that traffic safety could be improved by installing a “left turn channelization” that will include a 12-foot wide lane and a 6-foot wide shoulder to provide a dedicated left turn lane from Frazier Mountain Park Road to Mt. Pinos Way. New pavement markings and striping will clearly delineate the new left turn lane.

After sending the project proposal to two contractors to provide construction cost quotes on June 9, the County received bids on June 17 and awarded the job to Griffith Construction Company at a cost of $227,000.

Supervisor Couch stressed that constituent services are a top priority for him and his office. “We have been trying to raise the level of county services, such as traffic safety, for the people of the Mountain Communities. This project is an example of that,” he said.

Photo captions:

The intersection of Frazier Mountain Park Road and Mt. Pinos Way (west) will be widened by Kern County Roads Department after analysis revealed a need for increased safety.

Right: Laura Rains is placed in an ambulance while a firefighter held her daughter after a multicar collision at the intersection in May of 2013.

Left: Paramedics and firefighters help the injured at the May 2013 crash.

The new left turn lane will include a “12-foot wide lane and a 6-foot wide
shoulder” for greater safety as motorists slow to turn onto Mt. Pinos Way.

Above: Arriving at the scene of the May 2012 crash just 30 seconds after it happened. The crash created quite a mess as a PT Cruiser and a pickup truck loaded with supplies collided. This is also the site of ‘Bear’s Corner’ where Barry ‘Bear’ Weksler died in 2005 after trying to avoid a collision with two other vehicles.

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This is part of the June 26, 2015 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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