Project sails ahead

ARLINGTON – Like an inline skater heading downhill with a tailwind, the Centennial Trail is on a roll.

Just a few months after completing a new 10-mile section of trail between Lake Stevens and Arlington, Snohomish County will soon have the money in hand for a new $4.1 million, 8-mile section from Arlington north to the Skagit County line.

The state’s Interagency for Outdoor Recreation has awarded a $1.75 million matching grant to help pay for the extension. Snohomish County is committing $2.4 million.

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The deal will be presented to the Snohomish County Council for approval today.

Most of the design work has been done, so the permit process should begin this fall, said Marc Krandel, the county’s park planning supervisor.

The county will need permits from various local, state and federal agencies. The best-case scenario for getting those permits is about a year, because the new section should not have as many time-consuming environmental issues as the area north of Lake Stevens did, Krandel said.

“If everybody smiles on us, we’re hoping for construction in 2007,” Krandel said.

The new northern section will begin at Haller Park in Arlington, crossing the Stillaguamish River on an abandoned railroad trestle that the project will improve. The trail will follow the elevated railway north toward Bryant.

“You’ve got this panoramic view of the valley,” Krandel said.

At Bryant Lake, a trailhead is planned. The trail then will cross Highway 9 and continue north to cross Pilchuck Creek.

“The railroad trestle was removed, but they left the piers,” Krandel said. “We’re building our bridge on top of those piers. The view will be from 60 feet up.”

Much of the rest of the trail passes through private forestland owned by the Pilchuck Tree Farm.

The tree farm allows horseback riding on some of its thousands of acres, so Krandel is hoping there might be opportunities to tie in with the Centennial Trail, which will also accommodate horses.

Krandel’s next immediate focus will be connecting a short 1.5-mile gap south of Arlington between the county’s trailhead at 152nd Street NE and the city’s section of the trail, which starts at 172nd Street NE. The county is looking for a consultant so estimates for that work can be drawn up.

The city has only one short gap to fill along 67th Avenue NE, although it would require a right-of-way agreement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

Once those gaps are connected and the new northern section is finished, bicyclists will be able to ride from the city of Snohomish all the way to Skagit County.

“The Centennial Trail is a Snohomish County gem,” County Executive Aaron Reardon said. “This extension will allow even more of us to enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.”

Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@ heraldnet.com.