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 Receives $6.4 Million in Federal Funding
to Repair Four Bridges and Replace One Culvert
Projects near Snohomish, Darrington and Granite Falls prolong bridge life and future-proof important routes for residents, local businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts
EVERETT, Wash., October 27, 2021 – Rehabilitation and replacement of bridges and culverts is an ongoing responsibility for Snohomish County with more than 5,700 miles of rivers and streams. This year, the county received $6.4 million for bridge and culvert work along Mountain Loop Highway between Darrington and Granite Falls, and Snohomish River Bridge 1 on Airport Way and Avenue D in Snohomish.
“Bridge rehabilitation and culvert replacement projects are needed to maintain public access along county roadways,” Public Works Director Kelly Snyder said. “The net effect of these projects will be to improve the lifespan of these bridges and prolong the public investment in this infrastructure. Thanks to federal grants like these, Snohomish County is able to leverage local dollars and proactively maintain more county bridges.”
The Federal Highways Bridge Program awarded $4.8 million for the Snohomish River Bridge 1 and Red Bridge 537 repairs. In addition, the Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) granted $1.6 million for Schweitzer Creek Bridge 576, Wisconsin Creek Bridge 620, and Goodman Creek Culvert Replacement projects. Project details for the five county projects include:
- Bridge 1 over the Snohomish River on Airport Way carries heavy traffic on Airport Way and Avenue D into the city center of Snohomish. The bridge has two piers in water that are subject to scour, which occurs when fast-moving waters remove sediment from a bridge foundation. The project will address any scour issues and accumulating debris.
- Red Bridge 537 on Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls will receive corrosion repair and new paint. By addressing painting needs and minor structural repairs such as rivet and bolt replacements, the county avoids a costly project to replace this historic bridge.
- Schweitzer Creek Bridge 576 and Wisconsin Creek Bridge 620, along Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls, were constructed more than 60 years ago and contain several inches of asphalt from multiple overlay treatments over the years. The excess asphalt will be removed to help extend the life of the structures and remove weight restrictions.
- The Goodman Creek Culvert replacement project on Mountain Loop Highway near Darrington will restore two lane access for vehicles and provide a larger passage for fish. The culvert and roadway were heavily damaged by storm events in early 2020. This project also received Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) – Emergency Relief funding of $3.25 million.
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.