Contact:
Julie Kuntz Fay Lim
Communications Specialist II Communications Supervisor
Julie.Kuntz@snoco.org Fay.Lim@snoco.org
425-388-6059 425-388-6413
Snohomish County’s 2019 Annual Bridge Report Demonstrates Value of Proactive Bridge Management
Awarded grant enables bridge repairs and replacement in the next four years
EVERETT, Wash., April 17, 2020 – The health of Snohomish County bridges is well documented in the 2019 Annual Bridge Report. Details of bridge conditions for all 202 county bridges are now available online. Thanks to grant funding received in 2020, all structurally deficient county bridges noted in the report are slated for replacement or repairs.
“Snohomish County residents are benefiting from the skills, expertise and proactive planning of our Public Works employees,” said Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder. “Thanks to the hard-working efforts of our bridge project managers and grant staff, we are successfully leveraging our local tax dollars and receiving grants to repair and replace bridges.”
“Our bridge inspection teams continually gather information about our bridge network to note changes and identify structures that require maintenance and repairs,” said Snohomish County Engineer Doug McCormick. “We use this information throughout the year to prioritize projects and keep our bridges open and safe for public travel.”
Snohomish County replaces on average one or two bridges each year. In 2019, the county began construction to replace Riley Slough Bridge 155 near Monroe; the new bridge will open later this year.
The three bridges classified as structurally deficient (SD) in the 2019 report became the recipients of more than $10 million in grant funding by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) through the Local Bridge Program earlier this year. Construction on these projects is tentatively scheduled during the next four years:
- Madden Bridge 58, located approximately six miles east of Lake Stevens on Menzel Lake Road, will receive a new concrete overlay and new bridge rails.
- Jordan Creek Bridge 214, located seven miles southeast of Arlington on Jordan Road, is scheduled for replacement.
- Swamp Creek Bridge 503, located in the Alderwood Manor area north of 228th St SW on Locust Way, is also scheduled for replacement.
“The idea behind bridge classifications is to stay ahead of repairs and prioritize federal funding requests,” explains Snohomish County Public Works Bridge Supervisor Darrell Ash. “Bridges classified as structurally deficient are put at the top of the list for replacement or repairs and are still safe for travel.”
Last year, the county bridge group inspected 102 county bridges, and maintenance crews completed 13 major bridge repairs. The county also works with cities under Interlocal Agreements (ILA) to provide inspection and maintenance services. In 2019, county crews inspected 26 city-owned bridges.
All county bridges are inspected at least every two years. A small number of bridges are inspected more frequently due to certain deficiencies that require additional monitoring.
Bridge inspections are performed in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Inspection information is shared with WSDOT and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to determine the eligibility for federal rehabilitation or replacement funds.
About Snohomish County Public Works
The Snohomish County Public Works Department constructs and maintains county roads; controls and manages surface water quantity, quality, and fish habitats; and oversees the recycling and disposal of solid waste. The department’s main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. For more information about Snohomish County Public Works, visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks.