Feasibility study shows trestle replacement would remove creosote pilings but could cost $62M–$102M; design and funding next steps discussed

A feasibility study presented to the Anacortes City Council on April 7 recommended further design and stakeholder work to advance replacement of the Tommy Thompson (Thompson Trail) trestle. The study — funded by a mix of Recreation and Conservation Office grants, congressional appropriations to the Samish Indian Nation, and partner contributions — examined environmental sampling, geotechnical borings, hydrodynamic modeling and conceptual designs.

Todd Woodard of the Samish Indian Nation and Hansen Professional Services consultant Lauren Schroeder outlined the study findings. The report found more than 1,600 creosote pilings supporting the existing trestle, with additional buried pilings inside the causeway; consultants counted 1,360 pilings visible at the lowest tide during the survey and noted there may be as many as 2,300 additional buried pilings. Geotechnical borings showed very soft bay-floor soils in much of the crossing, requiring deep pile foundations: one…