SNOHOMISH COUNTY—For his dedication and tireless efforts to advance the Index-Galena Road Flood Repair project, the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) presented Snohomish County Public Works Engineering Services Supervisor Larry Brewer with its 2024 Project Manager of the Year Award. The award was officially given to Brewer by CRAB Executive Director Jane Wall during the Snohomish County Council meeting earlier on Tuesday, August 20.

While driving on the serene and picturesque Index-Galena Road east of Index, it can be easy to forget the destruction left by flooding in 2006. However, the vision and leadership of project manager Larry Brewer, P.E., helped to rebuild the road, restore local and emergency access, and reintroduce travel to parts of the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest and Wild Sky Wilderness.

“It took an enormous amount of patience and perseverance to see the Index-Galena Road project through the design and development process,” Snohomish County Engineering Services Director Janice Fahning said. “Larry’s ability to take input from stakeholders, navigate complex engineering challenges, manage a consultant on a multifaceted project, and defend his design and engineering judgement on the project are second to none. He also served a crucial role to help secure the $20 million in funding needed to build the project. We are grateful for his hard work and commitment.” 

“The project had many challenges from debris removal, clearing and elevating part of the road, to mitigation efforts and construction work near a river and through protected lands,” Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder said. “Larry led the team that worked with more than a dozen federal and state agencies, elected officials, tribal representatives, funding partners and environmental organizations to ensure the project would meet all requirements and have minimal impacts to the natural surroundings. This project is a shared success, but also a wonderful testament to Larry, a humble and dedicated public servant, and his determination to complete this essential project.”

Brewer has been a mainstay among the county bridge team, helping to rebuild or replace more than 50 bridges during his 25 years with the county.  He started his career with Snohomish County Public Works as a design engineer in November 1999, working on road and bridge projects and serving as a liaison to Solid Waste to help design facility and equipment upgrades. He served as project manager of the Index-Galena Flood Repair project from 2013 to 2023 and was promoted to supervisor in 2018. He now oversees a team of five bridge engineers and technicians while managing large scale bridge improvement projects like the planned replacement of Granite Falls Bridge 102.

Prior to joining the county, Brewer worked for consulting engineers for five years as a design engineer developing highway and bridge projects. He received his engineering degree from the University of Michigan.

Since 2013, CRAB has presented a Project or Program Manager of the Year Award annually to recognize outstanding performance, public service, and contributions toward transportation programs and projects across Washington state. CRAB was created by the Legislature in 1965 to provide statutory oversight of Washington’s 39 county road departments. The agency receives funding from a portion of the counties’ Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax (MVFT) withheld for state supervision, and from a small portion of the grant programs under CRAB’s administration. 

Relevant URLs:

• https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/624/Index-Galena-Rd—MP-64-69—Index-2023
• https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/608/Mt-Loop-Hwy-Br-102—Granite-Falls-2026

SOURCE: Snohomish County Government