Shelter Cove residents petition for road improvements

EUREKA – Shelter Cove residents frustrated with poor road conditions took to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday.

Community members gathered over 900 signatures for their cause, saying that driving on Shelter Cove Road has become too dangerous and noting how the past winter’s storm caused major pot holes and landslides.

Residents say the meeting ‘went well’, they make comments to the board and met with Director of Public Works Tom Mattson who says the federal government is responsible for providing money for reconstruction, which will take at least a year.

Tor now, his idea is to install more cautionary barriers and signage.

“We were hoping for concrete barriers so somebody can’t go off 500 feet down, because that is what would happen,” said one petition organizer, Brenda McLaughlin, “We’re hoping for flashing lights to warn people and more colorful fencing or barriers.”

“We hope that we can bring attention to the problem before an incident does occur, but we also want to welcome people to the cove,” added petition organizer, Cynthia Eden, “The lost coast is a beautiful area of coast line for California and maintaining our road and repairing our road is the surest way that people can enjoy access.”

Mattson says he plans on meeting with community members in Shelter Cove in the coming months to discuss what needs to be done, and how to take the next step.