Project Details
- Natural Resources & Permitting
Client
City of Everett
Location
Everett, WA
Team Members
Allan Barton
Carolyn Carlstrom
Eric Zick
Kathryn Hartley
Stephanie Renando
Steven Quarterman
Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge
The City of Everett Public Works Department constructed a non-motorized pedestrian bridge over an at-grade BNSF rail line and SR 529 (West Marine View Drive). This bridge connected an Everett neighborhood to the Port of Everett’s redeveloped waterfront. The bridge serves a dual purpose for carrying utility pipelines across the steep slope, railroad tracks, and West Marine View Drive. The existing underground pipeline was deteriorating and at risk due to landslide-prone slopes. The new utility bridge will make the pipelines more accessible for inspection and maintenance. The project was funded with federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and distributed through WSDOT Local Programs.
Since 2006, Landau has worked with the Port of Everett to clean up historical contamination across 65 acres of industrial property to facilitate an extensive waterfront redevelopment effort. Working collaboratively with the Port and the City of Everett greatly aided the construction of this important pedestrian bridge that gives the local community walking access to the beautifully revamped waterfront.
The Challenge
This project presented a number of challenges because of the location of the project and the associated federal funding. Only the pedestrian bridge portion of the project received federal funds; however, because one part of the project had federal money, the utility portion of the project also had to meet federal permitting requirements through the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Additionally, the new bridge was located within a public park and could potentially impact shoreline views for surrounding neighbors. The site was also adjacent to BNSF right of way and Washington State Department of Ecology hazardous waste program sites. The location of the utilities under the bridge were below tidal elevations, making them subject to tidal inundation.
Landau collaborated with many different stakeholders including WSDOT, BNSF, the City of Everett, and the Port of Everett regarding easements and land use issues. The team coordinated the relocation of an overhead utility line for the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD).
Our Approach
Landau worked hand-in-hand with the City of Everett and the regulatory agencies to build a permitting plan that allowed the project to be constructed. The Landau team supported pre-application meetings with WSDOT Local Programs to clarify the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusion process to include Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act compliance and Section 4(f) compliance associated with use of park property. Landau also supported pre-application meetings with the City to clarify shoreline master program permitting and zoning variance.
The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and zoning applications incorporated the overhead electrical utility relocation so that the local PUD did not need to complete separate permitting efforts, which include a Special Use Permit from the City. Landau provided agency coordination for acquisition of Hydraulic Project Approval for stormwater utility work and worked with USACE for confirmation of No Permit Needed under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.
Landau completed a viewshed analysis to demonstrate preservation of shoreline views for neighboring properties; completed a hazardous materials evaluation and prepared contaminated media management plan for use during construction; and provided observation of geotechnical borings for evaluation of potential hazardous materials.
The Solution
Landau’s due diligence and upfront work with the regulatory agencies resulted in the NEPA compliance being completed as a Documented Categorical Exclusion and SEPA compliance as a Determination of Non-Significance, which greatly reduced the permitting timeline.
Similarly, Landau’s work demonstrated that the project was a benefit to the community and supplemented public use of the park facility, enabling a Section 4(f) De Minimis Impact decision for incorporation of park property into the project.
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