Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 3:14 PM
TO: Senator Dan Swecker
FROM: Mr. Chris Cucchiara(Constituent)
SUBJECT: WA State Hwy 12 - Mossyrock Traffic Light
MESSAGE:
Dear Representative Swecker
Memorial Day weekend 2007, my son Cory became one of those DOT statistics at the subject intersection. Though he was airlifted and spent 8 days at Harborview, he was luckier than Ryan in that he survived that horrific collision and after two years of operations & rehab is as close to normal as he is ever going to be.
Following that accident there was a similar outcry from the community and an exhaustive traffic analysis performed by local residents to bring the traffic light to one of the most deadliest intersections in the state. The analysis and results of this study were provided to the appropriate DOT safety departments. The school district whose grounds abut Hwy 12 and whose elementary age students cross that intersection daily to attend school submitted a request for a traffic light to address their safety concerns.
Like many other parents in this community I assumed that the funding would soon follow the approval to install a traffic light system at the intersection. As time often does, the months of non action slipped by without many people noticing until December 8th. When I look into the Rashoff's family eyes I feel somewhat guilty that I wasn't more proactive in following up with the traffic light system request.
This time will be different. I will not rest or assume that the process will bring the traffic light system to that intersection before another driver or youthful pedestrian joins the statistics that compel our attention. I would like to offer my assistance in coordinating the necessary requirements to fund and install the traffic system. I have project management, communication skills, and time I'm willing to contribute. If necessary, I have the means and the resolve to initiate civil action if that is what it is going to prompt the state DOT to fund and install a traffic system in the next quarter. Cory's medical bills and subsequent impact on our health care system was in excess of 200,000.00 dollars. When your child is fighting for their life there is no check a parent isn't willing to write. As I stated earlier we were lucky in that we had that option. I want to assist in following through with your very visible remarks to the media that in this situation "it is my turn to ask for help".
Given the recent accident statistics at this intersection, I would expect the engineering study needed to justify the traffic system to be brief.Quite often these studies cost as much as the solution. But even more costly are the consequences of delay or non-action. Please advise how I can be of assistance in expediting the process in getting a traffic system installed.
Sincerely
Chris Cucchiara
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