Contact:

Meghan Jordan                                           Fay Lim

Communications Specialist II                    Communications Supervisor

Meghan.Jordan@snoco.org                      Fay.Lim@snoco.org

425-388-3918                                              425-388-6413

Snohomish County Public Works Wins American Public Works Association (APWA) 2021 Project of the Year Award

The S Machias Rd and Machias Cutoff Intersection Improvement Project was

honored in the transportation, under $5 million category

EVERETT, Wash., May 14, 2021 – Despite the financial, health, and logistical constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, Snohomish County Public Works still rose to award-winning heights, receiving a Project of the Year award from the American Public Works Association (APWA). At the APWA Washington Chapter virtual awards ceremony on May 13, 2021, the county’s S Machias Rd and Machias Cutoff Intersection Improvement project was awarded Project of the Year in the Transportation, Under $5 Million category.

“This award is a testament to our team’s ability to complete projects that benefit our community and the environment during a challenging year,” said Kelly Snyder, Public Works Director. “By partnering with our contractor, Strider Construction, we were able to work together to complete this project safely, on time and on budget – congratulations to all involved!”

Despite a complex project, including delayed permitting due to a federal government shutdown in 2018, coordination with five utility companies, and overcoming environmental constraints, the intersection improvements were substantially completed in June 2020. 

“This was not your typical intersection improvement project due to the many challenges the project presented,” said Doug McCormick, Public Works Deputy Director and County Engineer. “This project wouldn’t have been possible or successful without the coordination and partnership between our Public Works and Parks staff and the many partners including utilities, partner and permitting agencies, and the public’s patience.”

“This project is an important improvement for the Machias area by improving traffic and making it easier for trail users to safely cross S Machias Rd,” said Snohomish County Councilmember, Sam Low. “Thank you to Public Works and Parks for your coordination to get this project done for our residents.”

S Machias Rd is an arterial that carries traffic from Snohomish to Lake Stevens and onward to SR 92 and the Machias Cutoff branches off westerly from S Machias Rd. Before this project, the busy rural intersection functioned as a three-legged, all-way stop. The location of the Centennial Regional Trail crossing was separated from, but adjacent to, the intersection, creating a complex situation that increased the risk for rear-end collisions. To alleviate these problems, the county selected a design that improved roadway geometry to permit more efficient vehicle movement, integrated the Centennial Trail crossing, provided new signals, and used the smallest footprint to minimize environmental impacts. This $2.1 million project also included a new fish passage culvert, over a thousand new native trees and shrubs, and added additional amenities such as bike rests and equestrian-height push buttons for crosswalks.

To view the project’s application and a list of all APWA Project of the Year winners, visit the APWA’s website. 

About APWA

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 30,000 members involved in the field of public works. APWA supports those who operate, improve and maintain public works and infrastructure through advocacy, education, and member engagement. APWA has 63 chapters in North America.

About Snohomish County Public Works

Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges and manages about 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 500 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201. Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.