Contacts:
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 Annual Bridge Report Documents Conditions
of 205 County Bridges and Highlights Future Projects
Bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects continue at a pace of one or two per year
EVERETT, Wash., May 23, 2022 – Snohomish County bridges are inspected at least every other year and conditions are well-documented by county engineers on an annual basis. Last year’s findings are now available online. The 2021 Annual Bridge Report provides a full inventory of county bridges and specifies future bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects.
“Federal funding allows Snohomish County Public Works to replace on average one to two bridges every year,” said Public Works Director Kelly Snyder. “Since 2000, Public Works rehabilitated or replaced 55 bridges in the county. Thanks in large part to county bridge staff who proactively inspect, maintain and document our bridge network and our Public Works funding team who has helped us secure federal grant dollars to fund projects through 2025.”
Four bridge rehabilitation or replacement projects are fully funded and scheduled to be started within the next three years.
Last year, the county bridge group inspected 106 county bridges, and maintenance crews completed 15 major bridge repairs. The county also works with cities under Interlocal Agreements (ILA) to provide inspection and maintenance services. In 2021, county crews inspected 25 city-owned bridges.
After inspection, each bridge is given a sufficiency rating or numeric value from 100 (a bridge in new condition) to zero (a bridge incapable of carrying traffic). Sufficiency ratings and other bridge classifications help us stay ahead of repairs and prioritize funding requests. All county bridges that are open are safe for travel.
“Routine inspections allow us to proactively maintain our bridge network and plan for additional bridge repairs and culvert replacement projects,” said County Bridge Engineer Tim Tipton. “County bridge teams work year round to ensure the safety and mobility of travelers.”
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
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.