EVERETT, Wash., April 1, 2021 – Residents and recreational users of Index-Galena Road near milepost six and seven will begin to see construction crews this week as flood repairs are scheduled to begin. Construction in this area has seasonal and environmental limitations so work is expected to occur over a three-year period. Snohomish County Public Works has set a target opening date for fall 2023. Index-Galena Road near the project location will remain closed for the duration of the construction.

“Index-Galena Road is an important historic route to the upper North Fork Skykomish River area and the Wild Sky Wilderness,” Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder said. “Since the washout in the flood of 2006, residents, visitors, emergency services and the Forest Service must drive a 40-mile detour using Beckler River Road (Forest Road 65) and Jack Pass. The proposed repairs will restore local and recreational access and enhance river conditions for fish and other wildlife, which collectively provides economic benefits to local communities.”

This flood repair work includes nearly one mile of reconstructed roadway, 16 culverts, one reinforced concrete box culvert, a new 180-foot-long bridge, geosynthetic reinforced slopes, structural earth walls, and removal of the abandoned road and other man-made materials. The budget for the construction of repairs is $20 million.

“By relocating the new road out of the 100-year floodplain, we are reducing flood risk to the road and providing more room for the river,” Public Works Deputy Director and County Engineer Doug McCormick said. “Every element of design and construction has been carefully vetted by the county and partnering state and federal agencies to ensure all environmental requirements are met and every consideration is made to minimize disruption to the river and its surrounding habitat.”

Index-Galena Road milepost 6.4 to 6.9 was considered a total loss when flooding damaged significant portions of pavement, roadbed, and culverts in November 2006. Due to the project location and proposed road relocation on United States Forest Service (USFS) land, the Index-Galena Road repair required extensive interagency coordination with multiple federal, tribal, state and county government agencies.

Funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Funds, Federal Highway Administration Federal Lands Access Program Funds, Washington State County Road Administration Board (CRAB) Rural Arterial Program Funds, and Snohomish County Road Funds.