EVERETT, Wash., August 22, 2022 – After receiving an $8.2 million grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Federal Local Bridge Program, Snohomish County plans to replace Pilchuck Creek Bridge 626 – located on Pacific Hwy north of 236th St NE near Silvana. The county reduced traffic to one lane and imposed weight restrictions on the bridge last summer while seeking funding for a replacement. Construction of the new bridge is anticipated to begin in 2027.
“Thanks to WSDOT federal local bridge funds, our planning and design work for the replacement of Pilchuck Creek Bridge 626 is moving forward. A new bridge will provide greater access to oversized vehicles and a dedicated walkway to nearby Stillaguamish Tribe Trust lands,” said Public Works Director Kelly Snyder. “I’m pleased that we continue to be successful at securing federal funds to replace bridges and rehabilitate roads. We are fortunate that federal dollars are able to cover more than 80 percent of our bridge construction costs.”
The existing structure is a three-span, 180-foot steel and concrete bridge that carries traffic over Pilchuck Creek on Pacific Hwy (Old 99 North), running adjacent to Interstate 5 between Silvana and Stanwood. This route serves as a bypass when there is an incident on I-5. Built in 1933, the bridge shows normal signs of deterioration due to age, including a worn bridge deck and cracking throughout. The county plans to replace the existing bridge with a single span structure that will clear the floodplain, provide two vehicle lanes and a sidewalk for pedestrian access to the Stillaguamish Tribes’ Lower Pilchuck Creek Wildlife Preserve.
“Pilchuck Creek Bridge 626 was the only county-maintained bridge that was classified as structurally deficient and lacked funding for repair or replacement,” said Public Works County Engineer Doug McCormick. “A bridge is classified as structurally deficient if any of the structural elements is in poor condition or water frequently overtops the bridge. Such classifications do not mean there is eminent danger but enables the county to prioritize and compete for funding. All structurally deficient bridges in our inventory are safe to travel and have funded improvements in the works.”
Learn more about the Pilchuck Creek Bridge replacement project and sign up for future updates on the project webpage: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/5837.
About Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201. Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks or follow the department on Facebook and Twitter for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
