Next section of Olympic Discovery Trail begins

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The next segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail, at the head of Discovery Bay, is under construction, and a short section of Old Gardiner Road is set to be closed for three weeks starting June 9.

The three-quarter-mile-long project, expected to cost $987,654, builds a trail from Salmon Creek to Old Gardiner Road along U.S. Highway 101, according to Eric Kuzma, architect and assistant public works director with the Jefferson County Department of Public Works.

Approximately half of the project follows old railroad grade behind the familiar railroad cars. The trail then parallels the highway as it heads northward, built on sloping road embankment.

Interwest Construction Inc. (ICI) of Burlington, Washington, began construction in mid-May and is currently clearing vegetation along the highway embankment to make room for the trail, according to a press release. Reinforced earth retaining walls and a soldier pile wall are required to support the trail in this area.

ROAD CLOSURE

During construction of the soldier pile wall, a short section of Old Gardiner Road is scheduled be closed at its intersection with Hwy. 101 for approximately three weeks, county officials said. The road closure is anticipated to begin on June 9.

The completed trail is to have a 10-foot-wide, paved surface with 2-foot gravel shoulders and grades in accordance with state and federal standards for this type of facility typically not exceeding 5 percent. When the new trail segment is complete, it should provide a good opportunity to view Discovery Bay and the recent restoration projects that have occurred there, Kuzma said.

Interpretive sign panels are planned, describing some of the history associated with the area.

STATE FUNDING

ICI’s bid for the project was $987,654. The project is being funded by the state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) through its Recreational Resource Grant program and its Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA).

RCO has funded many of the other trail segments in Jefferson and Clallam counties, along with federal Transportation Enhancement funds. The nonprofit Peninsula Trails Coalition (PTC) has also been instrumental in helping to secure the grants, contributing more than $50,000 toward the current project, Kuzma said.

The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) is a multi-jurisdictional project that has been under development for more than two decades and spans Jefferson County, Clallam County, Sequim, Port Angeles and parts of Olympic National Park at Lake Crescent.

Ultimately, the trail is slated to run 126 miles from Port Townsend to the Olympic coastline near La Push. It is also part of a larger, congressionally designated National Scenic Trail known as the Pacific Northwest Trail, which begins in Montana.

PREVIOUS SECTIONS

Previously completed sections include the 7.7-mile Larry Scott Trail in Jefferson County. In Clallam County, the trail has been completed from Blyn to the Elwha River, passing through Sequim and Port Angeles.

Other sections west of Lake Crescent also have been finished recently. A section located on the Spruce Railroad Trail on the north bank of Lake Crescent is nearing completion, and includes the reopening of one of the original railroad tunnels.

Jefferson County was recently awarded a $1 million appropriation by the state for further planning, acquisition and development of the ODT between Discovery Bay and the terminus of the Larry Scott Trail.

Maps and information about the Olympic Discovery Trail are available at

olympicdiscoverytrail.com.

Questions about the current project at Discovery Bay should be directed to Jefferson County Public Works at 385-9160.