Recent activities:

• Continued restoration activities around town.
• Backfilled the small area on the south side of the Former Maloney Creek East haul road.
• Completed backfilling the shallow metals dig on the rail yard.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Complete restoration at the east end of Railroad Avenue.
• Continue railcar load out.


Posted on 11/11/2011

Recent activities:

• Relocated the Depot Building to its new location on the rail yard.
• Completed roadway striping on newly paved areas.
• Excavated a small area on the south side of the Former Maloney Creek East haul road.
• Continued excavating and backfilling shallow metals dig on the rail yard.
• Completed installing a fence around the Former Maloney Creek East pond.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Complete restoration at the east end of Railroad Avenue.
• Excavate and backfill a small area on the south side of the Former Maloney Creek East haul road.
• Backfill the small area on the south side of the Former Maloney Creek East haul road.
• Complete backfilling the shallow metals dig on the rail yard.
• Continue railcar load out.


Posted on 11/04/2011

Recent activities:

• Continued restoration on the south side of East and West Railroad Avenue.
• Began installing a fence around the Former Maloney Creek East pond.
• Removed construction trailers from the rail yard.
• Continued excavating and backfilling shallow metals dig on the rail yard.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Begin roadway striping on newly paved areas; this work was delayed this week due to weather.
• Excavate and backfill a small area on the south side of the Former Maloney Creek East haul road.
• Complete excavating and backfilling shallow metals dig on the rail yard.
• Continue railcar load out.
• Relocate the Depot on Friday, November 4 (total move time should take 1-2 hours).


Posted on 10/28/2011

Recent activities:

• Completed final paving overlay on part of 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, East and West River Drives, and the majority of Railroad Avenue north of the railroad.
• Completed the sidewalk on the west side of 5th Street.
• Continued backfilling rail yard dig and shallow metals dig.
• Raised utilities (catch basins and valves) to roadway elevation.
• Began restoration on the south side of East Railroad Avenue, including the installation of gravel and topsoil.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• Begin roadway striping on newly paved areas next week (this work is weather dependent).
• Install miscellaneous street signs.
• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Continue restoration on the south side of East Railroad Avenue.
• Install a fence around the Former Maloney Creek East pond.
• Remove construction trailers from the rail yard.
• Continue railcar load out.
• Relocate the Depot (tentatively planned for the first week of November).


Posted on 10/21/2011

Recent activities:

• Prepped and pre-leveled roadway areas for paving.
• Final paving overlay complete on 4th Street, and from the east end of Railroad Avenue to 3rd Street.
• Continued backfilling railyard dig.
• Began a shallow metals dig on the railyard.
• Continued railcar load out.
• Installed the Depot Park flag pole.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Crews will complete paving activities on Monday, Oct. 17. Crews anticipate finishing the final overlay paving on 3rd Street, 5th Street, East and West River Drives, and Railroad Avenue north of the railroad on Monday. This work is weather dependent.
During this time:
• There will be no parking on streets within the work zone. It is recommended that residents park vehicles outside of the work zone, rather than in driveways as they will not be able to drive over the asphalt until it cools. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
• Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic and there may be short traffic delays.
• Crews will begin working at 6:30 a.m. and continue until 7:00 p.m.
• Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.
• Continue backfilling railyard dig and shallow metals dig.
• Continue railcar load out.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 10/14/2011

Paving activities will continue through the end of today, October 13, and will resume on Monday, October 17, weather permitting.

Activities to prepare for paving are resuming today. Paving operations are scheduled to continue through Friday, October 14, weather permitting.

Due to heavy rains in Skykomish, no paving activities will take place today, Tuesday, October 11. Paving operations are scheduled to resume tomorrow, October 12, weather permitting and will extend until Friday, October 14.

TRAFFIC ROUTES AND PARKING THROUGH TOWN ARE SCHEDULED TO BE AFFECTED MONDAY, OCTOBER 10 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

Crews will prep and pave 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, East and West River Drives, and Railroad Avenue north of the railroad. During this work:
• There will be no parking on streets within the work zone.
• Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic.
• Crews will begin working at 6:30 a.m. and continue until 7:00 p.m.
• Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.
• Please follow all detour signs, pay attention to flaggers and take caution when driving in work zones.
• Work is planned as follows - this work is weather dependent.

Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 10-11:

• Crews will patch and level all work areas indicated on the map, as well as the east side of 6th Ave. There may be minimal traffic delays; pedestrian access will be maintained.

Wednesday, Oct. 12:

• Crews will pave the north side of Railroad Ave, Third St, and portions of West River Dr. Access will be available on the south side of Railroad Ave.
• There will be delays of four hours or more in the work areas as the asphalt cools. It is recommended that residents park vehicles outside of the work zone, rather than in driveways as they will not be able to drive over the asphalt until it cools. Pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained.

Thursday, Oct. 13:

• Crews will pave the south side of Railroad Ave, 5th St, East River Dr and Fourth St. Access will be available on the north side of Railroad Ave.
• There will be delays of four hours or more in these areas as the asphalt cools. It is recommended that residents park vehicles outside of the work zone, rather than in driveways as they will not be able to drive over the asphalt until it cools. Pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained.

Recent activities:

• Continued restoration activities around town including:
• Installed plantings at the levee
• Hydro-seeded the west levee
• Hydro-seeded Depot Park
• Completed waterline bypass work west of 5th Street.
• Continued prepping and began pouring concrete for curbs, gutters and sidewalks west of 5th Street.
• Continued excavating two small railyard digs.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoration activities around town.
• Continue excavating railyard digs and begin backfilling.
• Crews will be prepping asphalt around town for paving.
• Paving is scheduled for Oct. 10-12. Crews anticipate needing three days to prep and pave 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, East and West River Drives, and the majority of Railroad Avenue north of the railroad.
During this time:
• Expect parking restrictions on streets and driveways.
• Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic and there may be short traffic delays.
• There will be temporary road closures, including 5th Street and the 5th Street Bridge.
• Crews will begin working at 6:30 a.m. and continue until 7:00 p.m. This work is weather dependent.
• Further details will be provided next week.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 09/30/2011

Recent activities:

• Continued restoring the levee, including rebuilding the retaining wall.
• Completed installing the fence along Depot Park.
• Removed the temporary waterline from the bridge and reconnected the water main for businesses and residents south of the 5th Street Bridge.
• Began prepping for curbs, gutters and sidewalks west of 5th Street.
• Began excavating two small portions of the railyard.

What's happening next?

• Crews will work Saturday, September 24, beginning at 7:00 am to complete waterline bypass work west of 5th Street. A water outage will affect residents on 6th Street from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m on Saturday. Residents expected to be affected by this outage have been notified.
• Crews will continue grading for curbs, gutters and sidewalks west of 5th Street and are scheduled to begin pouring next week. There will be no parking on the east side of 6th Street Saturday through Tuesday. Temporary access will be provided to businesses and homes.
• Complete excavating and backfilling the railyard digs.
• Continue restoring the levee and install plantings.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 09/23/2011

Recent activities:

• Completed installing septic tanks at properties near the 5th Street Bridge.
• Continued installing the fence along Depot Park.
• Continued restoring the levee and completed installing topsoil.
• Removed the temporary water line from the bridge and reconnected the water main for businesses and residents north of the 5th Street Bridge.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoring the levee and install plantings.
• Crews will reconnect businesses and residents south of the 5th Street Bridge from the temporary water line to the water main on Monday, September 19. A water outage will affect residents on 4th Street from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Crews will prep for grading and pouring curbs west of 5th Street and will begin pouring the following week. This work may take several weeks. Temporary access will be provided to businesses and homes.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 09/16/2011

There will be a temporary water outage from 8 am - 12 pm on Thursday, September 15 for businesses on the north side of the Skykomish River and residents on Sky Lane. Crews will be removing the temporary waterline from the 5th Street Bridge and energizing the new waterline.

Recent activities:

• Crews completed all in-river work near the 5th Street Bridge and removed the remaining cofferdam.
• Crews began installation of septic tanks at properties near the 5th Street Bridge.
• Started installing the fence along Depot Park.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• Continue restoring the levee; planting is expected to begin the week of September 19.
• Continue installing septic tanks at properties near the 5th Street Bridge.
• Continue installing the Depot Park fence.
• Remove the temporary water line from the bridge and reconnect the water main. Residents will be notified of any temporary water outages.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 09/09/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews completed oil recovery and in-river excavation at the 5th Street Bridge and began backfilling and rebuilding the river bottom and levee. The inner cofferdam was removed.
• Irrigation and topsoil were installed at Depot Park.
• Continued railcar load out.

What's happening next?

• No construction will occur over Labor Day weekend. Construction activities will resume on Tuesday, September 6.
• Continue restoring the levee and remove the remaining cofferdam.
• Remove the temporary water line from the bridge and reconnect the water main. Residents will be notified of any temporary water outages.
• Prepare to install septic tanks at properties near the 5th Street Bridge.
• Install the fence along Depot Park.
• Please continue to travel safely through town and contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).


Posted on 09/02/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews completed constructing the cofferdam system, importing fill material and began in-river excavation. East and West River Drives are closed during in-river and levee work.
• Crews installed bird deterrent devices near the in-river excavation area.
• Crews switched water to the temporary bypass system near East River Drive.
• Crews continued installing the irrigation system and topsoil at Depot Park.

What's happening next?

• To ensure in-river work is completed during the fish window, crews are scheduled to work this weekend (August 27 and 28) and continue working weekends until in-river work is complete. Typical construction hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Oil recovery and water treatment systems will operate 24-hours a day.
• Crews will continue in-river excavation through the weekend and will begin backfilling early next week. Once backfilling is complete crews will begin cofferdam removal and levee restoration.
• Trucks will haul material from the river to the soil handling facility on the railyard using 5th Street. The 5th Street Bridge will continue to be open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Please be aware of increased truck traffic and travel safely through town. Please contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).
• Crews will switch water to the bypass system near East River Drive on Monday. A temporary water outage will occur Monday, August 22, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and will affect 4th Street and the gas station on Highway 2. Affected residents and businesses will be contacted with more information.
• Crews will continue installing topsoil at Depot Park.


Posted on 08/26/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews continued filling cofferdam bags and began in-river work this week by constructing part of the cofferdam system. East and West River Drives are closed during in-river and levee work.
• Crews began installing the irrigation system at Depot Park.

What's happening next?

• To ensure in-river work is completed during the fish window, crews are scheduled to work this weekend (August 20 and 21) and continue working weekends until in-river work is complete. Typical construction hours are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Oil recovery and water treatment systems will operate 24-hours a day.
• Crews will continue cofferdam construction this the weekend and early next week. In-river excavation will begin as soon as cofferdam construction is complete.
• Crews will install bird deterrent devices near the in-river excavation area.
• Trucks will haul material from the river to the soil handling facility on the railyard using 5th Street. The 5th Street Bridge will continue to be open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Please be aware of increased truck traffic and travel safely through town, particularly this weekend during Show n’ Shine festivities. Please contact us if you feel there are any unsafe situations (800-228-1849 or info@skykomishcleanup.com).
• Crews will switch water to the bypass system near East River Drive on Monday. A temporary water outage will occur Monday, August 22, between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and will affect 4th Street and the gas station on Highway 2. Affected residents and businesses will be contacted with more information.
• Crews will continue installing the irrigation system at Depot Park.


Posted on 08/18/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews continued restoration activities, including restoring power to the kiosk at Depot Park and installing street lights in the west levee area.
• To prepare for in-river construction activities, crews installed traffic controls on East and West River Drives, prepped and staged cofferdam bags, and prepped the levee areas.
• Crews ground the asphalt base on East River Drive and installed new utilities.

What's happening next?

• The project received a 30-day permit extension for in-river work and crews plan to begin installing the cofferdam for the excavation near the 5th Street Bridge on Monday, August 22, pending river levels. In order to complete all in-river work within the permit window, crews expect to be working 7 days a week, up to 12 hours a day (typically 7:00 am to 7:00 pm).
• Traffic control measures for the in-river work at the 5th Street Bridge will include closing access to East and West River Drives from 5th Street. Detour routes will be identified. The 5th Street Bridge will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Crews will continue restoration activities, including installing irrigation at Depot Park.
• Crews are planning on working near the 5th Street Bridge the day of the Skykomish Show n’ Shine (Saturday, August 20). Please pay attention to flaggers and posted street signs if you are in town for the festivities.


Posted on 08/12/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews continued restoration behind sidewalks and completed patching base layers of asphalt on Railroad Avenue and adjacent streets east of 5th Street.
• Crews completed constructing the school yard fence near the west levee and installed topsoil and sod.
• Crews continued restoration activities at Depot Park.
• Crews continued preparing for in-river excavation, including stockpiling rock and testing oil booms.

What's happening next?

• In-river excavation near the 5th Street Bridge continues to be a priority. Crews were unable to get into the river this week due to river levels but are planning to install the cofferdam beginning next week, pending river levels. Traffic control measures will include closing access to East and West River Drives from 5th Street. Detour routes will be identified. The 5th Street Bridge will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Crews will continue restoration activities, including installing irrigation and landscaping at Depot Park and restoring areas around new sidewalks.


Posted on 08/05/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews finished all curb, gutter and sidewalk construction on Railroad Avenue and adjacent streets east of 5th Street.
• Crews imported river rock in preparation for working in the river near the 5th Street Bridge.
• Crews continued restoration activities, including reinstalling the school yard fence near the west levee and relocating the Town kiosk to Depot Park.

What's happening next?

• In-river excavation near the 5th Street Bridge continues to be a priority. Crews are tentatively planning to install the cofferdam beginning next week, pending river levels. Traffic control measures will include closing access to East and West River Drives from 5th Street. Detour routes will be identified. The 5th Street Bridge will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Crews will continue restoration activities, including installing topsoil and sod at the west levee, irrigation and landscaping at Depot Park, and restoration behind sidewalks.


Posted on 07/29/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews continued curb, gutter and sidewalk construction on Railroad Avenue and adjacent streets.
• Backilling continued at the school yard and west levee area in preparation for restoration activities.
• Crews prepped the school tennis court for final finish surfacing.

What's happening next?

• In-river excavation near the 5th Street Bridge continues to be a priority and will begin as soon as river levels allow. Mobilization for in-river work may begin next week. Traffic control measures will include closing access to East and West River Drives from 5th Street. Detour routes will be identified. The 5th Street Bridge will remain open to vehicles and pedestrians.
• Crews will continue restoration activities, including sidewalk construction and rebuilding the school yard fence near the west levee.


Posted on 07/22/2011

Recent activities:

• Samples taken from the edges of the west levee excavation area were analyzed and it was determined that in-river excavation is not needed at the west levee.
• Crews completed backfilling the excavation area at the west levee this week and final grading will occur next week.
• The section of West River Drive near the west levee continues to be closed – access to the west neighborhoods is via Railroad Avenue.
• Crews are reinstalling the stormwater outfall in the west levee area today.
• Crews removed temporary asphalt sidewalks on Railroad Avenue and began grading for curbs and sidewalks. Crews are scheduled to complete pouring curbs and gutters this week in preparation for pouring sidewalks.

What's happening next?

• Crews will begin pouring sidewalks next week on Railroad Avenue and are scheduled to complete pouring by the end of the week. Temporary access will be provided to businesses and homes on Railroad Avenue.
• Crews are analyzing river levels and when to begin constructing the cofferdam in the Skykomish River near the 5th Street Bridge. In-river excavation continues to be a priority and will begin as soon as possible.
• Crews anticipate mobilizing and prepping the site for construction near the 5th Street Bridge the week of July 25.


Posted on 07/15/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews continued excavating and began backfilling in the area near the west levee.
• Crews are analyzing river levels and when to begin constructing the cofferdam in the Skykomish River near the 5th Street Bridge. In-river excavation continues to be a priority and will begin as soon as possible.
• Crews began to remove temporary asphalt sidewalks on Railroad Avenue.
• The section of West River Drive near the west levee continues to be closed – access to the west neighborhoods is via Railroad Avenue.

What's happening next?

• Crews will continue backfilling the excavation area at the west levee to create a “platform” from which equipment can be staged to take samples from the edges of the excavation area. Samples will be analyzed to determine the limits of excavation and if in-river excavation is needed at the west levee. Stay tuned for more information.
• Crews will grade and pour curbs, gutters and sidewalks on Railroad Avenue beginning the week of July 11. This work may take several weeks. Temporary access will be provided to businesses and homes on Railroad Avenue.
• Crews are currently scheduled to reinstall the stormwater outfall in the west levee area.
• Oil recovery operations will continue and may occur 24 hours a day if needed.


Posted on 07/08/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews began excavating near the west levee and expect to continue through next week.
• Crews completed setting up a stormwater bypass system near the west levee.
• Crews continued site preparation for the west levee excavation: crews removed part of the schoolyard fence, removed trees, and installed a temporary storm water outfall.
• A section of West River Drive near the west levee continues to be closed – access to the west neighborhoods is via Railroad Avenue.

What's happening next?

• Crews will continue excavation near the west levee next week. The cleanup team will determine, based on sampling results, if further excavation into the river is required.
• Crews will begin backfilling the west levee excavation area next week once excavation limits are determined.
• Clean soil removed from the west levee is being transferred to Former Maloney Creek East.
• Crews will not work over the holiday weekend (no construction on July 4).


Posted on 07/01/2011

Recent activities:

• Crews closed a section of West River Drive near the west levee on Monday. Access to the west neighborhoods is via Railroad Avenue.
• Crews completed installing a French drain at the tennis court.
• Crews finished preparing the soil handling facility and the water treatment system on the railyard.
• Site preparation at the west levee continues: crews installed temporary fencing around the majority of the construction area, sampled soils within the construction area, removed part of the levee wall, and demolished a structure within the construction area.
• Archaeology crews are on site at the west levee this week.

What's happening next?

• MarVac is mobilizing for oil recovery this week and will begin recovering oil as necessary next week.
• Excavation near the west levee will begin Monday, June 27 and is anticipated to continue through the week.
• Crews will set up the storm bypass system early next week.


Posted on 06/23/2011

Traffic revisions are scheduled to begin Monday, June 20. The section of West River Drive near the west levee will be closed for about a month. Traffic will access the west neighborhoods using Railroad Avenue. Please pay attention to posted detour signs.

Recent activities:

• Construction activities are beginning for cleanup work this year. Strider Construction mobilized equipment and crews began site preparation work, including setting up the water treatment system.
• Crews are installing a French drain at the tennis court.
• Crews are working on the joint utility trench on 6th Street today and tomorrow, June 16-17.
• Crews will be surveying at the west levee on Friday in preparation for upcoming excavation.

What's happening next?

• The section of West River Drive near the west levee will be closed for about a month beginning Monday, June 20.
• Site preparation at the west levee will occur next week, including demolishing a structure within the construction area, setting up vibration monitoring points, and sampling soils in the excavation area.
• Crews will continue preparing the soil handling facility on the railyard for use this year.
• Archaeology crews will be on site at the west levee late next week.


Posted on 06/16/2011

Crews will be working on the joint utility trench on 6th Street on Thursday and Friday, June 16-17. Parking on the east side of 6th Street will be impacted through Friday.

2011 construction in Skykomish starts soon! Join the Skykomish Cleanup project team on Thursday, June 9 from 6-8pm at the Masonic Hall, 108 NE Old Cascade Highway in Skykomish to learn about construction activities, traffic routing and town restoration. Staff from the Washington State Department of Ecology, BNSF and the Town of Skykomish will be available to answer questions.

Cleanup work for 2011 is moving forward! As you may have heard, the Town access agreement was re-signed and the permits for the in-river work have been acquired. BNSF, Ecology and the contractor are meeting to finalize plans and determine the expected schedule of construction activities this year. This information will be presented at a public meeting in May – stay tuned for date and time.

As was shared at the fall 2010 public meeting, the following activities are planned for 2011:

• Final restoration in many areas of town
• Excavation in the Skykomish River near the 5th Street Bridge (no bridge closure necessary)
• Excavation on the railyard
• Excavation in the Skykomish River at the west end of the levee (if needed)
• West levee and school yard excavation (pending access agreements)


Posted on 04/22/2011