EDMONDS — Reconstruction of the Edmonds fishing pier will take longer to complete and cost more than expected, with the final price now expected to hit $1.75 million.
City officials say the extra work will help extend the life of the popular pier for another 40 years.
The 944-foot long pier is used by about 100,000 visitors a year for activities such as bird watching, strolling, fishing, lowering traps for crabs and viewing harbor seals, which often swim in the nearby marina.
The date for reopening the pier is now set for Aug. 16, said Carrie Hite, the city’s parks, recreational and cultural services director.
That would be good timing for people who like to fish from the pier, she said. “Hopefully, people will be able to go out and catch some salmon.”
The pier is the only spot in the city where people can go saltwater fishing. All waterfront shorelines in the city are part of a marine sanctuary. No fishing is allowed.
Work on the pier began in mid-March. At the time the project was expected to take three months to complete. But just like many home repair projects, once work got under way construction workers found unexpected problems.
The pier was built in 1975. Construction workers found substantial rebar corrosion and concrete deterioration due to moisture penetrating the structure far more than had been expected.
Testing found that more than 90 percent of the pier structure beyond the breakwater needed its concrete edges reinforced and its railing support anchors rebuilt.
That added an additional $350,000 to the cost of repairing the pier. The money was provided by the state.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
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