Granite Falls Bridge 102 Replacement

April 2023 Update

Snohomish County was awarded more than $22 million in federal funding to replace Granite Falls Bridge 102 in November 2021. As a result, Public Works staff have resumed engineering and environmental planning work with construction expected to begin in 2025 or 2026 depending upon final permits and funding approval.   


Acceptance of federal funding includes a requirement to complete National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. This work includes compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Section 106 compliance is a formal process that will be administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation. The Section 106 review will consider historic properties in the project area including the existing bridge, and will evaluate how they may be affected and appropriate mitigation. This process is anticipated to begin later this year.


An Important Economic Corridor

Granite Falls Bridge 102 is the gateway to an important economic and recreational corridor. It spans the Stillaguamish River approximately 1.5 miles northeast of downtown Granite Falls, and is part of the 52-mile Mountain Loop Scenic Byway between Granite Falls and Darrington.


The bridge provides access to homes, sand and gravel quarries, and logging operations as well as many miles of hiking, camping, and other outdoor recreation activities. The Granite Falls Bridge 102 project is part of a larger program to increase freight mobility and capacity through the area.


Bridge Replacement

The existing bridge is 340-feet long and 20-feet wide. The proposed new bridge will be 350-feet long and 47-feet wide with bike lanes and sidewalks. The wider and longer design will met current bridge standards and allow motorists, bicycles and pedestrians a safer route of travel.


Traffic Impact

The proposed plan is to construct a new bridge just west of the existing bridge on the downstream side. During construction, the existing bridge will be kept open to minimize impacts on the surrounding communities. Residents and businesses near the project site will be notified of any expected traffic impacts when design and construction plans are more developed.


Funding

The total estimated project cost is $28.7 million. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant provides $22.1 million and the local match is $6.6M.


Schedule

  • ROW Phase: Completed 2017
  • Milestone 30% design: Completed 2019
  • RAISE Grant Award: 2021-2022
  • Environmental review and final design: 2023-2025
  • Construction: 2026*
    • *Dependent upon permit and final funding approval.