Crews will complete winterization activities around town, such as installing snow poles or barriers near utility pedestals and fencing around the SkyRiver Inn and Wheatley properties. Temporary and permanent streetlights will be installed on 4th Street and Railroad Avenue. Except for typical monitoring and maintenance, cleanup work in town is ending for the winter.

Crews recently paved asphalt treated base sidewalks and driveway approaches. The high edges of sidewalks will be marked with paint or tape. Crews will continue building a snow shed for the post office, which should be completed by Thanksgiving. Restoration continues at the Skykomish Hotel.

4th Street, 5th Street and East River Drive were paved with asphalt treated base (ATB) on November 5. 5th Street is now open and the temporary ramp from the 5th Street bridge to East River Drive is scheduled to be removed November 6.

Installation of temporary ATB sidewalks and driveway approaches is scheduled for the week of November 9. This temporary surface will be in place until final sidewalk and roadway restoration can be completed next year on these streets.

Restoration work is wrapping up at the 4th Street houses, including final exterior and interior repair work. Restoration work continues at the Sky Hotel, including installation of topsoil. Crews continued loading out material on rail cars, all material is scheduled to be loaded out by the end of next week. Once all material has been loaded out, the soil handling facility will be decontaminated and reviewed by Ecology.

Crews will be grading and prepping 4th Street, 5th Street, and East River Drive the week of November 2. Crews will begin installing asphalt treated base (ATB) streets and temporary sidewalks at the end of the week and continue during the week of November 9. Parking and traffic will be affected; please avoid street parking if you see “no parking signs” so crews can pave the streets.

Crews completed the 4th Street joint utility trench (JUT) and started installing the 5th Street JUT and utility vaults. The 5th Street JUT will be completed today. Crew installed the outfall at the end of 4th Street and continued restoration work at Sarno, Martin and Hotel properties.

Plats Plus, the Town’s contractor, may begin installing septic tanks on 4th Street the week of October 26. Plats Plus will install tanks in the West River Road area next week and will continue asphalt patching on Old Cascade Highway.

Join us at the Masonic Hall (108 NE Old Cascade Highway, Skykomish) to learn about cleanup plans for 2010 as described in the draft 2010 Engineering Design Report (EDR). The project team and the Town of Skykomish will review: Areas of Skykomish that will be under construction in 2010; Cleanup at the 5th Street Bridge and temporary bridge closure; Cleanup at Former Maloney Creek; Temporary building relocation; Status of cleanup plans for the Skykomish School; and Community wastewater treatment system construction.

Crews continued restoration work at Sarno, Martin and Hotel properties and will be installing topsoil the week of Oct. 19. The utility installation on 5th Street is complete and the Town is paving Old Cascade Highway. Crews continue building the shed, stairs and landing at the Whistling Post and this work will be complete by the end of October.

Crews began installing a joint utility trench (JUT) underground on 4th Street to house underground utilities this week. This work is expected to be complete early the week of October 19. Access on 4th Street will be maintained for vehicles and pedestrians. Crews will begin work on the 5th Street joint utility trench the week of October 19.

Posted on 10/16/2009

The oil recovery crews, MarVac, officially demobilized from the site after recovering approximately 40,000 gallons of oil in 2009. Rail car load out of contaminated materials continued and is expected to continue through mid-November. The Skykomish Hotel was set on its new foundation and restoration activities are underway. Restoration work continues at the 4th Street homes, including concrete flatwork and siding repairs.

Fifth Street is expected to reopen to traffic around the end of October. Streets in town will be paved with asphalt-treated base (ATB) before winter.

Backfilling at 5th Street and surrounding areas will be near completion October 2. Sewer was installed under 5th Street and water line installation will start October 2. Backfilling will be completed after the Skykomish Hotel is on its foundation and crews can backfill around the building.

All excavation for 2009 was completed this week, as well as all oil recovery operations. Backfilling and rail car load out continues, as does the restoration work at Sarno, Martin and Hotel properties.

The Town of Skykomish continues to work on the community wastewater system. Thelma Street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Monday, September 21, for sewer installation. A detour will be available; please follow the detour signs and guidance from the traffic control flaggers. Thelma Street will be paved with ATB following this work.

More than 40,000 gallons of oil have been removed this summer. The Town of Skykomish is removing a leaking underground oil storage tank from Town Hall property. Soil samples will confirm all contaminated material was removed. Restoration work continues at the 4th Street properties and foundation work will continue at the Skykomish Hotel through the week of September 21.

De-watering measures have worked well in the excavation area and excavation for 2009 is scheduled to be completed early next week. Backfilling at 5th Street is scheduled to continue through September 25. Following backfilling, crews will install sewer and water lines under 5th Street. 5th Street is expected to reopen to traffic around the end of October. Streets will be paved with asphalt-treated base (ATB) before winter.

This week's posted notice features some frequently asked questions about this work this summer. For additional information or questions, please call Ecology at (425) 649-4486 or the Skykomish Call Line at (800) 228-1849.

Approximately one week of excavation work remains in the area near the 5th Street bridge. Soil removed from this area is very wet because excavation is taking place in groundwater. Crews dry out this wet, contaminated material by placing it on areas that will be excavated before taking it to the soil handling facility. Wet soil is harder to handle and stack in the storage handling facility, and requires more space. The soil handling facility is at capacity for wet material and the cleanup team is looking at removing and treating water (“de-watering”) from the excavation area next week.

Sarno and Martin houses have been set onto foundations and restoration work is underway. Utility installation on 4th Street was completed and 4th Street reopened to traffic. Traffic returned to using the temporary ramp from the 5th Street bridge to East River Drive. Excavation work continued, including removal of clean overburden from the Wheatley property and deep excavation in these areas is now underway. More than 18,000 gallons of oil have been recovered during the 2009 cleanup to date. All archeological investigations are now completed for this year. Continued loading out material on rail cars; continued dust control and river turbidity monitoring.

Traffic and pedestrians continue to be rerouted through Town. Traffic will now use the temporary ramp constructed from just south of the 5th Street Bridge to East River Drive (see map in Upcoming Events). Vehicles traveling south across the bridge will turn left onto the ramp at the East River Drive. Pedestrian access is available on the temporary ramp, to allow access from East River Drive to the sidewalk on the 5th Street Bridge.

Restoration work will continue at the Sarno and Martin houses and utility work will begin in preparation for reconnecting utilities.

Deep excavation at the Wheatley property and surrounding areas will continue to remove all contaminated material in those areas.

The Skykomish Hotel was moved back to its original location on August 26 and the Martin and Sarno house foundations were completed. Utility work continued on 4th Street and traffic was rerouted through town on West River Drive. Archaelogical exploration continued where the Skykomish Hotel was temporarily located. Investigations were completed in the Former Maloney Creek areas and under the Cascadia Inn.

Traffic was rerouted through town due to the 5th Street closure on the completed temporary ramp from the 5th Street bridge to East River Drive. Crews completed the current stage of excavation and continued backfilling in the excavation area beneath the former Maloney's General Store, 5th Street and adjacent areas. Foundation work began on the Sarno and Martin houses and will continue next week. Load out of material continued on rail cars; continued dust control and river turbidity monitoring.

On Monday, August 24, traffic and pedestrians will be rerouted through Town. Traffic from the bridge will use West River Drive to access Railroad Avenue during this one-week closure of 4th Street and continued closure of 5th Street. The temporary ramp to East River Drive will be for local access only. Pedestrian access will continue to be provided on the south side of the temporary ramp and will also be provided on the east side of 4th Street.

Excavation continued and backfilling began in excavation area beneath the former Maloney’s General Store, 5th Street and adjacent areas. Crews prepared 4th Street to re-open to traffic. The soil handling facility was expanded on the rail yard to accommodate larger volumes. Load out of material continued on rail cars; continued dust control and river turbidity monitoring.

On Friday, August 14, traffic and pedestrians were rerouted through Town. Traffic will now use the temporary ramp constructed from just south of the 5th Street Bridge to East River Drive (see map in Upcoming Events). Vehicles traveling south across the bridge will turn left onto the ramp at the East River Drive. Pedestrian access is available on the temporary ramp, to allow access from East River Drive to the sidewalk on the 5th Street Bridge.

Crews are scheduled to build the temporary ramp from just south of the 5th Street Bridge to East River Drive beginning Monday, August 10. The traffic revision to close access to West River Road from the 5th Street Bridge and begin using the temporary ramp to East River Road is anticipated to begin Wednesday, August 12.

The Sarno and Martin houses will be moved back to their respective properties the week of August 10. After the houses are moved back, restoration activities will begin (e.g. foundation construction).

Whistling Post sheet pile removal is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 to Saturday, August 8. Sheet pile removal along 4th Street and the Skykomish Church property may continue on Monday, August 10. Sheet pile removal will take place between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Crews will continue preparing the Wheatley house for relocation starting Friday, August 7, including placing steel beams under the building.

Deep excavation continued in the area beneath the former Maloney’s General Store property and adjacent areas.

Crews prepared for sheet pile removal behind the Whistling Post and in 4th Street excavation area.

Loading out material on rail cars, dust control and river turbidity monitoring continued.

Crews continued digging in 4th Street by Town Hall and the church until samples confirmed that all contaminated material was removed. Backfilling started on Wednesday and 4th Street will be restored for use near the end of the week of of August 3. The Town Hall ramp will be restored and crews will install a walkway in front of the church.

Crews will start building a temporary ramp from the bridge to East River Road. When 4th Street reopens, this will be the primary route through town. 5th Street will remain closed and eventually access to West River Road from the bridge will be closed to allow for excavation at the Wheatley and Mitchell properties. Residents will access West River Road via East River Road, 4th Street and Railroad Avenue. The 5th Street railroad crossing will remain open.

These changes may happen as early as the week of August 10.

Sheet pile behind the Whistling Post and the church will be removed starting on Monday, August 3. The Whistling Post may be closed during this time. Work will be noisy and may cause some vibrations.

The Skykomish Hotel was moved on Wednesday, July 29 to its temporary location on Sky River Inn property. Crews are currently abating asbestos.

The next phase of excavation started this week. Thank you for your patience as 5th Street closed and crews established traffic detours. 5th Street will be closed for approximately seven weeks for excavation activities.

Deep excavation began this week on the Maloney’s General Store property and on 5th Street.

Crews continued loading out contaminated material by railcar five days a week.

Archaeological exploration is underway near the Skykomish Hotel property and will shift to the Hotel property later this week or early next week.

Phase 2 excavation will begin on Tuesday, July 28. Crews will close 5th Street between the Skykomish Hotel and Maloney’s General Store properties and proceed with excavation activities on 5th Street and adjacent properties. Starting Phase 2 excavation early will help keep construction on schedule.

Traffic will be detoured onto West River Road and 6th Street to:

• Access Railroad Avenue and residences and businesses along Railroad Avenue.
• Access the railroad crossing and Old Cascade Highway.

5th Street will be closed for approximately 8 weeks. Pedestrians should continue to use designated pedestrian corridors and crosswalks, and pay attention to flaggers near the construction haul routes (4th Street and Railroad Avenue). Thanks for your patience and cooperation.

Crews plan to reopen 4th Street in approximately two weeks, after additional excavation and backfilling activities are complete. Until that time, residents will continue to access 4th Street using East River Road.

On Monday, 7/27, Crews will temporarily relocate a utility pole near Town Hall and excavate further in to 4th Street. This is to remove contaminated soil from the current excavation boundary.

Crews will continue preparing the Skykomish Hotel for relocation. Asbestos abatement will be done for the soils under the Hotel once the structure is raised in preparation for moving.

The Skykomish Hotel is scheduled to be relocated on Wednesday, July 29. This date may change and any shift in the schedule will be announced. Please note that for safety reasons, crews will need to keep Railroad Avenue and 5th Street near the Hotel clear of traffic and pedestrians for the short period when the Hotel is being moved.

Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA) completed documentation of historic sites in the Phase 1 excavation area, near 4th Street. NWAA is now working on the west side of 5th Street on the Maloney’s General Store and former Bishop House properties. To date there have been no finds of historic artifacts in this area, though documentation is still ongoing.

Next, NWAA will complete historic documentation on the Skykomish Hotel property.

Deep excavation, below the “vertical delineation limit” (VDL), began this week in the excavation area near 4th Street and continues next week.

Continue grinding asphalt on 5th Street in preparation for excavation later this summer.

Continue loading out overburden material on rail cars and continue dust control and river turbidity monitoring.

Strider will expand the area where dust control activities are done, to further control dust in and around the construction area.

On Thursday, July 23, crews will set steel beams under the Skykomish Hotel in preparation for temporarily relocating the building. This work requires additional space to maneuver the beams, so crews will temporarily close 5th Street for one day. Traffic will be rerouted onto West River Road. The railroad crossing and the intersection of 5th Street and Railroad Avenue will remain open.

Soil Sement for dust control will be placed on the railyard the week of July 20th.

On Friday, July 17, crews will use the 5th Street crossing as a temporary haul route for removal of soils from the excavation area. Use of the 4th Street construction crossing will resume on Monday. No further use of the 5th Street crossing as a haul route is anticipated.

Deep excavation (up to 22 feet), or excavation below the “vertical delineation limit (VDL)” is scheduled to begin the week of July 20. Contaminated soils are typically found below the VDL. Trucks will use the temporary construction crossing to transport material from the excavation area to the railyard (near Railroad Avenue and 4th Street). Truck tires will be decontaminated before leaving the excavation area if they were in contact with contaminated soils.

The cleanup team is looking at the cleanup schedule and ways to make up time lost during archaeological site processing. This may include some Saturday work or longer work hours (within Town ordinances). Residents will be informed of any schedule changes.

Northwest Archaeological Associates (NWAA) continued documenting historic sites in the Phase 1 excavation area, near 4th Street. Two privies containing historic artifacts (e.g. old bottles) and some old farm animal bones have been discovered. NWAA is completing its work in the Phase 1 excavation area July 17 and will then move to the General Store property to process any historic discoveries at that location.

Archaeological documentation is taking longer this year because the historic sites are located in the heart of historic Skykomish and require a more thorough investigation. Also, there are particular regulations guiding documentation of finds such as privies. Historic discoveries in past years did not have the same requirements.

More asbestos was discovered under the Skykomish Hotel once crews had better access under the building. Asbestos abatement will be completed tomorrow. Crews will replace some beams and continue preparing the Hotel for moving. The Hotel is scheduled to be relocated the week of July 27.

Crews continue preparing the Skykomish Hotel for relocation. Crews will temporarily close 5th Street on Tuesday, July 14, while beams are maneuvered under the Hotel. Traffic and pedestrians will be detoured onto West River Road. Railroad Avenue and the railroad crossing will remain open. This work is expected to last one day. Crews are planning to move the Hotel on July 22.

The construction water treatment system is scheduled to be operational the week of July 13.

Northwest Archaeological Associates and Strider will begin documenting the historic privy sites and removing artifacts on Friday, July 10. They will continue this work over the weekend. Strider will use a small excavator and much of the work will be done using hand tools. After this work is complete, crews will continue normal excavation activities.

Crews continued sampling and excavating overburden soil. Clean soil will be stockpiled separately and used for backfilling. Deep excavation (up to 22 feet) is scheduled to begin on July 8. Oil recovery operations are scheduled to begin the week of July 6. The blue tanks stored by the river will be used by the oil recovery contractor, MarVac.

Crews discovered remnants of old privies in the excavation area. These sites will be roped off until archaeologists document and remove the contents (e.g. old bottles). The property owner will be able to claim the contents after the documentation process is complete.

Crews will move Maloney's General Store on Wednesday, July 8, to the former location of the SkyRiver Inn. Fifth Street will be closed to traffic and pedestrians while the building is moved. Crews will establish detours around West River Road. This work should take about a day.

The Town of Skykomish will start construction on the community wastewater system in mid-July. Trenching will occur in one lane of Old Cascade Highway and at the intersection of 5th Street and Old Cascade Highway. Traffic will be impacted; stay tuned to learn more as the Town develops its construction schedule.

The new owner of the Bishop house moved the house to its permanent location on June 29. Crews will continue prepping the Skykomish Hotel for relocation near the end of July.

On Thursday, July 2, crews will set steel beams under Maloney's General Store in preparation for temporarily relocating the building. This work requires additional space to maneuver the beams, so crews will temporarily close 5th Street for one day. Traffic will be rerouted onto West River Road. The railroad crossing and the intersection of 5th Street and Railroad Avenue will remain open.

Crews continue to prepare Maloney’s General Store for temporary relocation on July 9. Crews will move the Store to the former location of the SkyRiver Inn.

Crews are continuing utility boring under the railroad tracks. Power interruptions are not expected. This work may affect traffic at the 5th Street and Railroad Avenue intersection and flaggers will assist with traffic control as needed.

The Bishop house will be relocated to its new permanent location on Old Cascade Highway. The new owner is expected to move the house on June 29. Traffic will be temporarily interrupted when the house moves across the railroad tracks; flaggers will assist with traffic control.

Phase 1 excavation begins this week. This means a portion of 4th Street in front of the Skykomish Community Church will close on Monday, June 29. Residents will access their homes on 4th Street using East River Road or Railroad Avenue.

Excavation of overburden soils starts on Monday, June 29. Deep excavation (20 to 26 feet) is scheduled to begin the week of July 6. Oil recovery mobilization will begin the week of June 29.

Preparation continues for the relocation of the Skykomish Hotel on July 20. Crews will move the Hotel to the former location of the SkyRiver Inn office. This will provide enough room for the temporary bridge ramp that will be constructed when 5th Street is closed for excavation.

Demolition of the SkyRiver Inn will be completed this week and demolition of the old post office building will occur the week of June 22.

The Martin house was moved to its temporary storage location at the east end of Railroad Avenue, just west of the Depot. The Sarno house will move to the same temporary location the week of June 22. Flaggers will be available to direct traffic if needed. These houses will be returned to their original locations this fall.

Site preparation continues at the Sky River Inn. Utilities will be disconnected the week of June 15 and demolition may happen as early as the end of the week.

Several residents were relocated from their homes on 4th Street this week. Utilities will be disconnected the week of June 15 and crews will prepare the structures for moving.

Crews will install a water bypass line under 4th Street starting on June 10. The line will be installed underground and primarily in Town right-of-way. Residents will be notified if they are expected to experience a brief interruption in water service.

Over the weekend of June 13, the post office will move to its new location on Thelma Street, near the corner of Old Cascade Highway at the former U.S. Forest Service compound. The post office will be closed on June 13 and 14, and will reopen in its new location on Monday, June 15. The post office will be at this location for at least two years.

The Town of Skyokomish Centennial celebration will be held on June 5-7. Cleanup crews have been working with the Town to prepare for this major event. New temporary sidewalks, striping, and parking spaces have been installed along Railroad Avenue. Crushed rock has been used to create flat areas for booths on both the north and south sides of Railroad Avenue. The Town kiosk has also been temporarily reinstalled for the Centennial.

Come learn about detailed construction plans for 2009. The project team will review construction phasing, potential impacts to traffic and how to stay informed about construction.
Thursday, May 28
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Maloney's General Store (104 Railroad Avenue, Skykomish)

Mobilization and construction activities will begin in May. Residents should expect increased truck traffic, construction fencing installation, and preparations for demolishing the SkyRiver Inn buildings. This week, HAZMAT surveys will be conducted on buildings that will be relocated or demolished. Crews will also apply Soil-Cement to unpaved areas of the rail yard for dust control.

BNSF and its contractors continue to restore Town and private properties, and have been working with the Town of Skykomish and the Skykomish Historic Society to plan for the Centennial celebration. Permanent streets lights are now operational along Railroad Avenue. Crews will re-pave Railroad Avenue using asphalt treated base (ATB) beginning this week or the week of May 18. Some sidewalks will also be temporarily restored using ATB. This will improve roads for general use and for the Centennial celebration. Final street paving will occur after construction activities are complete.

In May, BNSF provided notice to award the general construction contract to Strider Construction. Contracting efforts are now underway. Strider was the prime contractor in 2008 and will be contracted through 2011 to complete cleanup and restoration work in Skykomish.

Crews completed surveying work to help identify potential sampling locations in the Former Maloney Creek area.

Verizon continues pulling lines through the joint utility trench.

Potelco installed historic-looking street lights along Railroad Avenue.

During the week of April 27, crews will survey areas around the 5th Street Bridge, the levee and on some private properties.

Ecology is reviewing comments on the proposed amendment to the Cleanup Action Plan.

BNSF is in the process of evaluating and selecting a contractor for cleanup work in 2009-2011. A public meeting will be held before construction begins to review detailed construction plans (date to be determined). Project engineers are also preparing for construction by completing additional survey work and property restoration in town.

The air sparging system on the Joselyn property is now operational. Monitoring activities will continue.

BNSF is proposing changes to the Skykomish cleanup schedule and cleanup at the Skykomish School. A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 6-8 pm at Maloney's General Store (104 Railroad Avenue, Skykomish).

Join us to learn about changes to 2009 construction, cleanup activities in 2010 and 2011 and proposed revisions to the Cleanup Action Plan (CAP). The project team will review:

- Proposed revisions to the Cleanup Action Plan (public comment period: March 23 – April 21, 2009)
- 2009 – 2011 cleanup schedule
- Excavation and restoration
- Building relocation
- Home and business access.

Staff from BNSF, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Town of Skykomish will be available to answer questions and take comments.

Work on the JUT will continue this week after being stopped for several days last week due to freezing weather. Paving the JUT crossings will begin Monday, March 9.

Crews will continue work on the JUT for approximately 3 weeks. The JUT will cross Railroad Avenue in several places but crews will ensure access is maintained during trenching. Upon completion of trenching, crews will finish the trench using asphalt-treated base material. Crews will install Verizon and PSE pedestals, street lighting bases, and other above-ground and flush permanent features that allow residents to utilize an underground utility system instead of overhead lines. This equipment will be placed on Town right-of-way adjacent to personal property in many places along Railroad Avenue and 4th Street. Notification will be provided prior to work near personal property.

Gravel will be delivered on Friday (2/13) to use in the HCC system vaults along Railroad Avenue, and granular activated carbon will be installed in the vaults the week of February 16. Residents should expect some truck traffic, but access to all roads and buildings will be maintained.