ARLINGTON — An expansion of the Centennial Trail south of town is on track to finish this fall, after the Snohomish County Council approved a construction bid.
The work involves the trail’s so-called “gap” — a 1.2-mile section along 67th Avenue NE. The County Council on Wednesday voted to accept a $750,000 low bid for the work from Strider Construction of Bellingham. That was much cheaper than the county engineer’s original $1.9 million estimate.
County leaders expect work on this part of the trail to finish around the same time they complete another 4-mile segment to the Skagit County line.
“We’re still on our original plan,” county parks director Tom Teigen said. “We’re looking at completing both of those trail segments by the end of September, early October.”
Right now, it’s possible to walk or ride 20-blocks north to Arlington from the current trail head at Armar Road, but the lack of shoulders can make for a harrowing journey.
Building the 10-foot-wide trail through the area was technically challenging because of wetlands.
Strider has successfully performed all work on the Centennial Trail since 2003. The company is familiar with the work and already has its equipment nearby, Teigen said.
An existing trail runs through Arlington, then heads north over the Stillaguamish River about 4 miles up to Bryant.
The main portion of the trail runs about 17 miles north from Snohomish. The additions will link 27 miles of trail between Snohomish and the Skagit County line.
Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
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