Thanks to Larry Brewer, a project manager with Snohomish County Public Works, who listened to concerned residents living near the Cicero Bridge on the North Fork of the Stilliguamish River.
The county removed a huge logjam butting the weakened footing of the old railroad bridge. This logjam has been building for over 17 years. In 1990 a B&N railroad worker was swept away while working to remove logs during a major flood.
The county had just spent $437,000 to repair one of the bridge footings. This bridge is immediately upriver from the main Cicero Bridge on the major east/west Highway 530.
The removal occurred this month as the river level began to rise. Now, when we cross the Cicero Bridge on Highway 530, we are relieved. If the old railway bridge gave way to raging water and battering logs, the debris could easily damage the major Highway 530 Cicero Bridge. Closure of that bridge would bring havoc to thousands of drivers who use this major east-west highway. The amount spent on the removal was a wise preventive measure for the safety of people using the river and commuters.
Thanks to Herald writer Kaitlin Manry for researching and reporting the issue.
Peggy James
Arlington
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