SUMMARY

PROJECT TITLE: Parks - Planning study for the Tommy Thompson causeway and trestle replacement.

DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation

BUDGET CODE: CFP-PRK-00007

JUSTIFICATION: Improves existing service

START DATE (FY): TBD

END DATE (FY): TBD

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The City is working with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Samish Indian Nation on a planning grant and feasibility study for the removal and replacement of the trestle and causeway. The work will start at Weaverling Spit and go east to March Point. The goal is to improve the health of Fidalgo Bay by opening up the tidal flushing capacity to benefit habitat for salmon and marine species beneficial to salmon development and removing over 700 known creosote pilings.

This project was approved in 2020 but matching funding has delayed the start of the planning study until late 2022.

REcommendation:

Continue with this process and encourage the participation of more community partners in this effort.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES / STATUS:

This City, Samish and the DNR already have secured a grant from the State's Recreation and Conservation Office. Other community partners are poised to join this effort. Our task is to study the feasibility of removing the existing trestle and causeway and replacing it with a steel, concrete and fiberglass structure. The study will look at improving the health of Fidalgo Bay and improving recreational and commuter opportunities.