INDEX — Snohomish County hopes to start rebuilding a portion of Index-Galena Road within a couple of years to fix damage from an election-day flood in 2006.
Most of the road, which serves campgrounds and homes east of Index, has been repaired. The stretch between mile post 6.4 and 6.9, however, remains washed out by the North Fork Skykomish River.
“It’s a half mile of damage,” said Larry Brewer, who is managing the project for the county’s Public Works Department. “This section of road is mostly underwater — it’s in the river itself. That’s been a challenge.”
Engineers have completed preliminary design work. They’re proposing to move the damaged section of road uphill, 50 to 100 feet above the river.
The county hopes to break ground in 2018. It recently secured a $5 million grant through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. The Federal Lands Access Program grant is intended to improve access to the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Other grants are helping to cover the project’s total cost of about $28 million for design and construction.
When repaired, Index-Galena Road should provide a shorter route through the area that remains open year round.
“This is a significant milestone in our efforts to repair the entire length of the Index-Galena Road,” County Executive Dave Somers said in a press release. “The commitment of two federal agencies ensures that this vital community link will be repaired.”
The county has scheduled an open house about the project, when people can submit comments. It’s set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Frank Wagner Elementary, 115 Dickinson Road in Monroe. A copy of the environmental review document is available at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/624. In the past, environmentalists have raised concerns about the project adding to stormwater pollution.
Also at the meeting, people can expect to learn more about plans to replace the nearby Howard Creek Bridge 496. It’s about three miles from the washed-out stretch of Index-Galena Road.
To send comments, email road@snoco.org or call 425-388-ROAD (7623).
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