EVERETT — A plan by BNSF Railway to replace an aging bridge on the main line has been given a tentative nod by the city of Everett.
There’s one condition: The railroad must restore pedestrian access to the waterfront on Port Gardner.
“We are requiring them to construct or fund the construction of shoreline access in that area,” said Meghan Pembroke, the city’s communications director.
The rusting iron bridge is located at the west end of Hewitt Avenue where it turns southwest and becomes Bond Street.
An underpass at the south end of Bond Street was heavily used by neighbors to get to the Pigeon Creek Trail, which runs parallel to the rail line on Port of Everett property south to Pigeon Creek Beach.
BSNF closed the Bond Street underpass in June 2014, citing safety concerns, as pedestrians also had to cross an at-grade spur line to reach the trail.
The railway has been using the spur more often to park long trains, usually carrying coal or petroleum products, for up to several hours at a time.
Protests by neighbors have not yielded results, and the city recognized that the city had few options in dealing with the railroad.
The only access to the trail now is half a mile to the northeast at Everett Avenue where a newer overpass drops down onto Terminal Avenue on the west side of the tracks.
The railroad has filed plans with the city to replace the old railroad bridge with a filled embankment.
The new project created an opening for the city, and as part of the city’s approval of the project under the State Environmental Protection Act, it is requiring BNSF to build or fund the construction of a pedestrian crossing.
An open comment period on the plan lasts until Wednesday, before which BNSF can offer alternative measures, Pembroke said, or else the city likely will finalize its approval.
The railroad also has 14 days from a final determination to file an appeal, she said.
The city has so far not received a response from BNSF on its conditions, Pembroke said.
Hewitt Avenue used to run all the way down the hill and under the bridge, but the road was permanently closed after the Everett Avenue overpass was approved in 2001.
A chain link fence has closed the underpass all vehicles and pedestrians. The road itself has degraded, with the older brick road bed exposed in many places where it is not covered over with moss and weeds.
The railroad’s plan is to fill in the area beneath the bridge, creating a sloping embankment, then remove the bridge, BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas said.
The railroad still needs to work out utility arrangements with the city, so there is no timeline for the project yet, Melonas said. The project also requires replacing water and sewer mains and installing a combined 36-inch sewer pipe.
Chris Winters: 425- 374-4165; cwinters @heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.
Public comment period
The city of Everett is accepting written comments on the city’s approval with conditions of BNSF’s plan to replace a railroad bridge with a filled embankment. Comments must be received by Jan. 7 at the Everett Planning Department, 2930 Wetmore Ave., Suite 8-A, Everett, WA 98201.
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